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There are plenty of things to love about being a childcare professional, but the stress that goes along with the job is certainly not one of them. Sometimes the pressure of caring for a group of children can be more than some early childhood educators can stand.
Childcare professionals spend their days planning lessons, managing tiffs, cleaning up potty accidents, wiping noses, changing diapers, picking up toys, scrubbing bathrooms, dealing with parents, conducting activities, prepping materials, soothing fears, serving meals, hanging bulletin boards, bandaging boo boos, and so much more.
On top of all of the job-related duties, many early childhood professionals have to worry about making ends meet each month because the pay is often subpar. If providers don’t find ways to relax during the day, this type of physical and mental chaos can lead to burnout.
Don’t let the stress of your job cause you to crash and burn. Use these quick tension-relieving techniques during the children’s naptime to help you relax and rejuvenate.
Mini-Meditation
Relieve the mental drain of your day with a quick mini-meditation exercise. Sit in a chair and close your eyes. Clear your mind and take in the silence. Take three, slow, deep breaths. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. After you’re done, slowly open your eyes and resume your day.
Brow Massage
A simple brow massage will have you feeling refreshed in no time. Sit down in a chair and prop you elbows on a desk or table. Place your thumbs under the inner portions of your eyebrows and relax your neck so that the weight of your head rests on your thumbs. Hold the position for a few seconds. Then use your thumb and index finger to gently squeeze the brows a few times.
Neck Rolls
Loosen knotted muscles with simple neck rolls. Sit down in a chair and look up at the ceiling. Lower your left ear to your left shoulder and hold. Slowly roll your head forward and bring your chin to your chest and hold. Roll your head to the right until your right ear is to your right shoulder and hold. Inhale and exhale slowly through your nose while you do the neck rolls. Repeat the movements three times.
If you’re not careful, the stress of working in the childcare industry can take a toll on your wellbeing. You can combat the effects of job-related stress by taking a few minutes during naptime to do neck rolls, brow massages and mini-meditations
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