The Stress Toolkit

As piano teachers, we've seen all manner of stress in students. And it gets younger and younger all the time.

I never thought I'd see a fourth grader stressed about mid-term exams. Yet, that very thing happened about five years ago.

For all the stress our young humans are subjected to, the one thing schools ironically avoid is teaching kids how to handle stress.

Our brains weren't made for this century, and we've no idea how to handle it!

So, for yourself, your kids, or your students, here's a short list of things you can do when you're feeling stressed.

1. Reflective Writing - This helps more than you'd think. It goes something like this. When you're scared or stressed, write about it.

Write objectively. Write exactly what's happening. Then, write how it makes you feel. Then, write an alternative. Is there another interpretation of the scary thing you're worried about?

Then, try writing the worst-case scenario. It's usually not as bad as you think it'll be.

Writing gets feelings out of your head and into solid form. Then, when it's not a demon-ghost in your mind and you're staring at it on the page, it's easier to grapple with. The pen can be a mighty weapon in your fight against stress!

2. Breathe - I never thought humans would need a book on breathing, but many exist. Breath work is something everyone should do. 

There's all kinds of breath work you can do. SOMA is a fun one, where you breathe rhythmically to music. But there are other kinds as well. Just Google "breath work meditation," and you will find plenty of options.

3. Meditation - You knew that one was coming, right? We have a lot of chatter going on in our minds at all times. Meditation helps you quiet those voices down, so you can stay present. 

Meditate regularly, and you start to become self-aware. You can feel the stress coming on as an outsider instead of swimming in it and lashing out at someone. These days, self-awareness is a superpower.

4. Exercise - You can't just drop everything when you're stressed and exercise. But get a dose in at the start of the day, and you'll be doing some good preventative work!

5. Sleep - In a world where we turn a blind eye to kids going to sleep at 1am to finish homework, we have to put our collective foot down. Get enough sleep. Repair your body and mind. Everything else comes second.

Hope you like this short list, and perhaps have some of your own to add! Try one, two, or all of them this week. Then, come back and let us know what you think.