If we're the ones managing the household, or let alone, teaching groups of students in complicated teaching arrangements, our level of stress are going to be high right now. Understanding you're not alone is key to helping you through this time.
Emotional Symptoms of Stress
Various levels of agitations
Feeling overwhelmed
Depression
Moodiness
Outbursts of anger
Isolation and loneliness
Withdrawn
Lowered levels of self-care
Effects of Stress on the Body
Insomnia
Restless
Muscle tension
Tremors
Eye twitches
Nausea
Headaches
Abdominal distress
How do we cope when there are so many unknown variables? We decompress as much as we can and as often as we can. Ground, breathe, ease the tension in your shoulders. All of these things will help you, and you need to do them often.
A Mini-meditation for Stress Management
Even if only for a minute at a time, it can have a lasting impact throughout the day. Wherever you are, pause and inhale and exhale. Ground yourself by feeling your body against a chair or feet on the ground. Think of something you are grateful for in your life. Close your eyes for 15 seconds.
Develop a Self-care Ritual
Make it simple. It can be drinking a cup of tea and allowing yourself some peace and quiet. It can be standing outside of your place to look at the horizon and breathe some fresh air for a few minutes. It can also be a bath or shower. Whatever it is, have it be your ONE thing you do for self-care. Don't overwhelm yourself with a list. Again, make it simple.
Look for the Joy in the Small Things
Find a sense of appreciation for the small things life, especially anything that makes you smile or laugh. Moments of joy add up throughout the day, and they do relieve stress and uplift your mood. Cultivate as much as you can of these things, which will help you deal with the unpredictability and annoyances of virtual school.
Find a Support Group
During this time, it's essential to feel a sense of community and support, even if we can't physically be in the same room. Look for groups that have similar dilemmas so you can bond with people over this shared predicament. You may make some new friends and rekindle old friendships.
Make sure to also show your support to the people working in the schools through this challenging time. Reach out to them and offer them support because they are essential workers and may feel overwhelmed and under-appreciated.