October 16th

Today has been rather stressful. Overwhelming. Anxiety ridden. Even though I slept through the night and got a good solid 7 hours plus, I'm so exhausted. Work is wearing me down to the bone. It's way too hard to deal and work with Rydik. I'd love to be able to help him, but his own mom isn't helping... this biting problem has to stop. I mean one or two kids OCCASIONALLY but not every single fucking day... it's just wrong, somethings wrong. And its wearing me out chasing him and fighting him every single day to behave and listen. I just want the best for him but I don't think my job can give it to him. Then I'm praying the comment my boss made wasn't directed to me and my other teachers. "I dunno why you guys are stressed about Rydik." Um, excuse me? My children are being bit. I'm trying to NOT jump to conclusions however and just let it be.

Here's some ways to manage my stress that I am hoping will help me from now on. 

MANAGING STRESS

-Get sleep. 7-9 hours is optimal. Have a routine and a sleep schedule.

-Exercise daily. Work up to 30 minutes a day.

-Hydrate. Drink lots of water! 

-Plan - use your planner to help schedule me time & other important things including household duties, grocery lists, buying options, etc.

Another helpful list... how to worry less.

HOW TO LESSEN YOUR WORRIES

1. Recognize that worrying isn't helping you but instead is draining you and stressing you out.

2. Start noticing when you're worrying and give yourself permission to stop. Remind yourself regularly. 

3.Practice mindfulness meditation for 20 mins a day to learn to let go of unwanted and unnecessary thoughts.

4. Make the distinction between real problems and made up ones that have not happened yet. 

5. Be patient with yourself. Learning how to worry less takes time.

WHAT  I WANT TO WORK ON THE REST OF THE MONTH

-STOP putting myself down. Not everything is my fault. 

-When something is my fault, take responsibility and the proper actions then let it go.

-Worrying less.

-Meditating and being mindful more

-Reading more, less screen time.

-Less 'multi tasking'

-More focus.

-Less anxiety - breathing techniques.

MINDFUL MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

-Breathing

Breathe in for 3, hold for 3 and exhale for 3.

-Drink mindfully.

Notice the taste, temperature and how it feels.

-Stretch

Roll your shoulders to relieve any tension

-Connect with nature

Keep a flower close by and notice its beauty.

-Notice your senses.

5 things you can see, hear and feel.

-Eat mindfully

Taste, texture, temperature

-Acknowledge feelings without labeling them

-Washing dishes

Focus on the feelings (water, soap, hand movements)

-Mindful hug

-Journal 

5 things you're grateful for (I want to do more)

-Body scan

Relax any places that have tension

BODY SCAN

-Start at your toes and go through your whole body up to your head. Relax everything

-Relieves stress, relieves tension

NO COMPLAINING