Stress-management for students (and teachers): activities to reduce stress (new ideas each week!)

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Hi Bryana
Creating a healthy and stress-free environment for students can be achieved by setting up a "relaxation zone" in the classroom. Here is a simple idea:

Relaxation and Calm Area:
Set up a corner of the classroom with comfortable cushions, rugs, and a few plants. Add books, puzzles, and quiet games. Students can use this space to relax, read, or play quietly when they feel stressed or need a break. Ensure this area is always accessible and encourage students to use it when needed. This fosters an environment where students can manage their stress and feel more relaxed throughout the day.
Best regards from Tunisia
Chokri

@Bousl2336873cb4

Hello Chokri,

It is a Zone d'education Prioritaire (ZEP) school where students from poor socio-economic background come there. This philosophy ZEP was firstly implemented in France. It was a success there, in 2003 it was implemented in my country. The concept ZEP is a success too here as the rate of absenteeism which was

Hello Housna
surely you must provide more effort than in another establishment better favored...... tell me a little about your great experience.
Best Regards from Tunisia
Chokri

@Ana_moderator
Interesting Topic Ana. I have observed that teachers have more stress because many teachers are married. When their wives or family members fight with them they can't say any single word against them and abusing silently and then they go to school and give punishment to students because their stress is very high.
In this condition teachers need to firstly they calm down and then join their classes and same condition for student when their parents fight with them they also did not saying single word against them and then they go to school and feeling bored and they can't understand lecture.
In both conditions teachers need to make a plan to find stressed students from class and then make a funny educational activities or games plan for all class in morning time in first period as they feeling happy and active.

@Sadamdars56 thank you for sharing your perspective.

I would say that teachers can get stressed for various reasons, whether at home or work. Undoubtedly, this stress affects their daily work routine. Therefore, it is important to not only use these activities with students but also to try them ourselves (or with students in the morning).

@Ana_moderator
Agree new ideas for students is very important, always students need new thing which teacher apply in class room

@Ana_moderator It's true that there is frustration in.our society specially in the underdeveloped countries.So it is necessary to use educational democracy in our classes.At the start our session.we have to create a pleasant environment so that each student can.feel comfortable in learning with you and can share any problem regarding the topic or any other class related issue.
So the ice breakers and other fun activities can make the class interactive and ready to learn.easily.

@Ana_moderator hello hope you will be good ...
Interesting topic about stress it is a natural phenomena not we elders but kids also take stress a lot Adults are not the only ones who experience stress; kids can be stressed too.
A good amount of stress is healthy, but too much stress can cause negative effects on wellbeing.
There are many ways to relieve stress for kids.
Stress Relief Activities for Kids

1. Deep belly breathing - Deep breathing can help kids take in more oxygen, slow their heart rate, and calm their minds during stressful situations.
2. Enjoy nature - Being in nature is a great stress reliever for kids as it can decrease muscle tension, blood pressure, and improve brain activity.
3. Exercise - Exercise is essential for kids regardless of stress level because it releases endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that make one feel good.
4. Share your feelings - Sometimes being stressed can make us feel like we’re carrying a heavy load. Sharing these feelings with a trusted person can make us feel better.
5. Color - Coloring is always a fun and creative activity for kids that can take the focus away from stressful thoughts and feelings.
6. Listen to music - Listening to music is one of the best ways to spend your time while boosting brain activity, effectively getting rid of stress.
   7.Garden - Gardening is a great stress-relief activity because one is surrounded by nature and actively helping it grow. This takes the attention away from stress and problems.
   8.Use problem solving skills - Focusing on how to solve a problem can help kids feel more in control and reduce their stress levels in the process.
7. Eat healthy food - There are some foods that can increase stress levels. Kids can stick to whole foods and consume less sugar to lower stress.
   There are so many stress releasing activities for both teachers and learners some others are spend time with your family friends go for outing painting enjoying movie listening stories etc so if any one want to add some additional activities kindly add in them and all of you are agree ?????

@MJANKb9ddefc9b1 great explain 1

@Burfatmukhtiar yes why not sir it means like mostly people do Yoga is an exercise that requires an immense amount of focus. This can distract from stressful situations and improve a child’s overall mood and health.
Regards
Maryam jan

@MJANKb9ddefc9b1
10. board games like chess, uno cards, guess in 10, Risk and so on.
11. out door activities like go to playground, jogging, playing drone , playing kite, fishing , cycling
12. Involving in art & crafts and origami
13. Can do some simple hands-on activities like making giant bubbles, jigsaw puzzles
14. if interested in numbers con do sudoku,
15. language activities like word search, scrabble,
16. If more people at home can play hide and sick game

hah, such activities i come through in my life with my children to avoid stress .

@Ana_moderator I like to lighten the mood with funny stories or playing non-educational games just for fun, like charades and the Chinese Whispers game with students.. It helps everyone relax and take a break from our regular lessons. Laughter truly makes a difference in how we feel.

@Ana_moderator Certainly! addressing students' stress is paramount for their well-being and academic success. Here's my perspective on the strategies mentioned:

1. Mindfulness Exercises: These are excellent for grounding students and helping them manage stress. Starting or ending a lesson with a brief mindfulness session can set a positive tone and improve focus.

2. Physical Activity Breaks: Integrating movement breaks is crucial, especially for younger students or those with high energy levels. It refreshes their minds and bodies, aiding in concentration.

3. Open Communication: Creating a supportive classroom environment where students feel safe to share their feelings is key. It builds trust and enables you to provide timely support.

4. Setting Realistic Goals: Breaking down tasks into manageable steps helps students feel less overwhelmed. It promotes a sense of accomplishment and motivates them to stay engaged.

5. Positive Environment: Visuals and soothing elements can transform the classroom into a calming space. This supports stress reduction and enhances overall comfort.

6. Time Management: Teaching effective time management skills equips students with tools to handle academic demands efficiently. It reduces procrastination and stress associated with deadlines.

7. Healthy Habits: Emphasizing the importance of sleep, nutrition, and exercise fosters a holistic approach to stress management. Encouraging these habits supports students' overall well-being.

8. Empathy and Support: Showing empathy and offering support can make a significant impact. It strengthens teacher-student relationships and helps students feel understood and valued.

9. Humor: Using humor appropriately can lighten the mood and create a positive classroom atmosphere. It builds camaraderie and resilience among students.

10. Flexibility: Allowing flexibility in assignments accommodates students' diverse needs and reduces unnecessary stress. It acknowledges their individual circumstances and promotes fairness.

In practice, combining these strategies based on students' responses and needs ensures a comprehensive approach to stress reduction in the classroom. It's about creating a nurturing environment where students feel supported and empowered to succeed academically and emotionally.

I still remember my grandparents having misunderstandings or voices no matter what , they just left from there, went and sat on the balcony and watched the sky, moon and stars. Just a few minutes or hours, then back to normal conversations. Now I understand it is also a method of relieving stress.

@Ana_moderator Hi I am shah from Sindh,for stress management I prefer to use creative and engaging activities that make learning enjoyable and stress free.

@Ana_moderator Hi I am shah from Sindh.I do this relaxing activity with my young learners.When they closed their eyes I give them some imaginations like feel that we are in a garden .There are so many birds are chirping.Feel the greenary and listen birds sound.This activity is very effective for my young learners .

Hello,
Normally educators are stressed due to indiscipline that prevails in the school. Stress management of teachers and students is a key aspect that administrators need to consider. Administrators of school should cater for his staffs so as to reduce the level of stress.

Hello colleagues,
Hope everyone is great.

I found some apps for us as teachers to work in our own strategies. If we are ok, our students will be ok. Hope these top three on each category make a difference. I made some research and use some of these and are amazing.

1. Mindfulness and Meditation Apps
Cultivating mindfulness and practicing meditation can be a powerful strategy for managing stress. Applications such as the Calm app – available for Apple and Android devices, can help. They provide guided meditations, sleep stories, and breathing programs to help reduce anxiety, improve focus, and promote better sleep.

• Mindfulness.com
• Insight Timer
• Smiling Mind

2. Exercise Technology
Exercise has long been recognized as a stress reducer. With the advent of technology-enhanced exercise programs like Peloton, staying active has never been more engaging or accessible. Peloton offers on-demand and live workouts ranging from cycling and running to yoga and strength training.

• Daily Yoga
• Down Dog
• Asana Rebel

3. Sleep Technology
Quality sleep is crucial for managing stress and maintaining overall health. Sleep technology applications, like Sleep Cycle, Headspace, and ShutEye, track sleep patterns and provide insights to improve sleep quality. Additionally, Sleep Cycle gently wakes you up during your lightest sleep phase, helping you start the day feeling refreshed and less stressed.

• BetterSleep
• Calm
• Noisli

4. Digital Reading and Audiobook Platforms
If you’re an avid reader, you already know that immersing oneself in a good book can be a great stress reliever. Digital reading platforms and audiobook applications such as Kindle and Audible make it easier to fit reading into a busy schedule.

• Audible
• Libby
• Libro.fm

5. Stress Tracker Apps
Understanding your stress patterns can be the first step in managing them effectively. Stress tracking applications like Stress & Anxiety Companion provide tools to log, identify, and manage stress triggers. It also offers guided breathing exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.

• Welltory
• Stress Tracker
• CareClinic

6. Music and Sound Therapy Apps
Sound therapy has been recognized for its potential to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. Apps such as Brain.fm and sounds on the free website myNoise, provide a range of soundscapes and music designed to help with focus, relaxation, and sleep. Even Spotify has a selection of green and pink noise: relaxation sounds that can aid sleep.

• MOODSONIC
• OPENEAR'S SWELL
• ENDEL

Best,
Mr. Bryan

Greetings @Ana_moderator
I have been teaching my group of students since 2021 now. We are able to understand each other. This bonding has been our strength to face any challenge in our teaching and learning environment. To cope with stress, we have daily rituals.

1. Breathing activity - Pupils practice deep breathing between lessons.
2. Humour - We bring humour at a given time of the day. At times it emerges during a specific lesson. For example, I remember once in a French class, when doing a lesson on syllables with sound a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rClQRR1bUYY pupils were actively engaged in the activity without any stress even though they were assessed informally.
   At another instance, in an English class, while doing a lesson on "Superheroes", a student told me, "Teacher, you know, I'm Spiderman, my father is Superman and my mother is Wonder woman!" We all laughed and felt re energized and motivated again to continue the lesson.
3. Being connected to nature - On a rotation basis, students water plants in the classroom. We have created a nature corner. As @MJANKb9ddefc9b1 shared that "...being in nature is a great stress reliever..." Indeed it's true. I have myself experienced relief whenever i watered or trimmed the plants. As goes the saying, "Nature is the purest portal to inner-peace." Being connected to nature, will definitely calm our mind and will help us to cope with stress.
4. Setting rules and be all ears to students - By clearly communicating do's and don'ts to students, lots of stress have been reduced. I do not have to raise my voice to bring order back into my classroom. Students know what they are allowed and not allowed to do in class or at school. Well, they are kids after all. Even if they omit, their peers will politely remind them to behave.
   By being all ears to my students i can better scaffold them in their learning. Hence they do not have the stress of not knowing. They slowly work on their weaknesses. Feedback to parents are given on a regular basis via their respective notebook. Therefore, at home parents help their children to improve.
5. Energizer song - Pupils usually kick start their day by singing and dancing on an Energizer song. They forget their stress and feel happy. I witnessed that pupils learn with their emotions. Once they cheer up after the energizer song, they stay with me body, mind and heart. Thus teaching and learning becomes easier.

Implementing a weekly stress-management program for students and teachers involves diverse activities such as mindfulness practices, physical exercises like yoga and group workouts, creative outlets such as art therapy and writing, fostering social connections through discussions and community service, and ongoing self-care challenges like digital detox days and guided meditation sessions. These activities aim to promote relaxation, resilience, and overall well-being in both educational and professional settings.