Don't allow stress to build up, teachers told
All about the stress factor: Teachers are all ears during the "How to handle stress" workshop held at the PAP Masna Secondary School. Picture: Syazwan Sadikin
Thursday, March 6, 2008
IN A bid to create awareness on stress for teachers and how to overcome it, PAP Masna held a "How to Handle Stress" workshop yesterday with special guest speaker Pg Haji Sabtu Pg Haji Tuah, Head of Nursing at Ripas Hospital leading the talk.
"Teachers aren't superman" said Pg Haji Sabtu and added that teachers are also susceptible to stress like everyone else.
It is known that prolonged exposure to stress would result in dire consequences physically, mentally and emotionally for any person and this includes anxiety, depression, aggression and substance abuse.
Studies has suggested that with demanding jobs, it increases the risk of cardiovascular diesease as well associated with increased risk of developing back and upper-extremity musculoskeletal which affects the body's muscles and joints, either by the work itself or by the employees' working environment.
Among the stress factors for teachers mentioned during the workshop were mostly concerned with job related stress resulting from the interactions with workers and the condition of work that has a detrimental effect on them in terms of physical and emotional responses.
This occurs when the work that is being done does not match with the capabilities, resources or the needs of the worker.
Some of the causes of stress for teachers in schools are frustration over student's performances, handling delinquent students and the lack of respect from students as teachers often face insults on an everyday basis.
Other indicators of stress included headaches, hysteria, insomnia and low work performance.
In the effort to handle stress, Pg Haji Sabtu suggested that Muslim teachers perform religious activities such as praying, performing absolution which has been associated with calming the soul, participating in positive activities such as jogging, playing football or go on a vacation, building self-confidence by appreciating one's qualities.
Getting involved with activities in the work place also helps especially when it leads to receving recognition for their efforts.
In addition, disciplining oneself by scheduling proper sleep and controlling eating habits can also help in reducing stress.
Equally important was speaking with trusted friends and family members whenever there is a need to express feelings of discontentment thus decreasing the pressure of stress from building up.
During the workshop Pg Haji Sabtu had also urged teachers to get professional treatment such as through consultations when the situation continues to worsen and in some cases even obtain medication such as anti-depressants as prescribed by professionals, joining a stress management training programme or by attending Physcio therapy groups or relaxation therapy.
The Brunei Times
"Teachers aren't superman" said Pg Haji Sabtu and added that teachers are also susceptible to stress like everyone else.
It is known that prolonged exposure to stress would result in dire consequences physically, mentally and emotionally for any person and this includes anxiety, depression, aggression and substance abuse.
Studies has suggested that with demanding jobs, it increases the risk of cardiovascular diesease as well associated with increased risk of developing back and upper-extremity musculoskeletal which affects the body's muscles and joints, either by the work itself or by the employees' working environment.
Among the stress factors for teachers mentioned during the workshop were mostly concerned with job related stress resulting from the interactions with workers and the condition of work that has a detrimental effect on them in terms of physical and emotional responses.
This occurs when the work that is being done does not match with the capabilities, resources or the needs of the worker.
Some of the causes of stress for teachers in schools are frustration over student's performances, handling delinquent students and the lack of respect from students as teachers often face insults on an everyday basis.
Other indicators of stress included headaches, hysteria, insomnia and low work performance.
In the effort to handle stress, Pg Haji Sabtu suggested that Muslim teachers perform religious activities such as praying, performing absolution which has been associated with calming the soul, participating in positive activities such as jogging, playing football or go on a vacation, building self-confidence by appreciating one's qualities.
Getting involved with activities in the work place also helps especially when it leads to receving recognition for their efforts.
In addition, disciplining oneself by scheduling proper sleep and controlling eating habits can also help in reducing stress.
Equally important was speaking with trusted friends and family members whenever there is a need to express feelings of discontentment thus decreasing the pressure of stress from building up.
During the workshop Pg Haji Sabtu had also urged teachers to get professional treatment such as through consultations when the situation continues to worsen and in some cases even obtain medication such as anti-depressants as prescribed by professionals, joining a stress management training programme or by attending Physcio therapy groups or relaxation therapy.
The Brunei Times
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