Dealing with Stress as a Music Teacher in Your Work and Home Life

If you’re struggling with anxiety and overwhelm in your teaching or home life, you’re not alone.   Teaching is straight up hard, and as a music teacher you’re juggling so very much on any given day.  This is something I’ve definitely struggled with over the years, and it’s not easy.  You feel like you’re alone in feeling this way and it’s so taboo to talk about it, but it shouldn’t be.

So, I’m going to share with you the same strategies and tips that have helped me, so you can begin managing that stress in your teaching and home life.  You can hear more about my personal story in feeling stress and anxiety in this podcast episode.

 

Write it down

Try to figure out where the feelings of stress is coming from.  Obviously, this is easier said than done.  But, what I mean is, there may be a couple of things that are causing you to feel overwhelmed.  Is it a certain class that you feel is showing you no respect and that you’re letting steal your joy?  Are you trying to be a people pleaser and having a hard time saying no to other teachers?  Is there too much on your plate and you’re having a hard time juggling it all?

Whatever is causing your feelings, write it down.  Sometimes just putting your thoughts and feelings down on paper helps you to really figure out where the stress is coming from.  Then, you can begin to find ways to help alleviate some of the root problems of the stress.

 

Exercise

This sounds so taboo right?  I’m gonna be completely honest with you and let you know, I’m not really into exercise.  I’d much rather watch my favorite Netflix show while curled up on the couch any day.  Please tell me I’m not the only one.

But, honestly when I just go on a walk, it helps so much.  It’s not just for the exercise part of it, but it will help you clear your head as well.  Pop in your headphones and listen to your favorite music and just unwind.  Going on a walk helps me think creatively and honestly is when so many new ideas come into my head about my blog or podcast, as well as what I need to do that week with my kids, or anything else I need to think through.  So many times during the school day, your’re not given that time to really process your thoughts, and when you exercise it truly helps alleviate stress so much.

 

 

Listen to music or podcasts

Honestly, there are so many different things to listen to that will uplift you, help you feel better, and inspire you.  Maybe on your drive to work or your drive home, you’re listening to your favorite podcast (like mine for instance) or song.  Or, maybe it’s on your lunch break where you just eat at your desk, then close your eyes for half a second and just listen to something inspirational like an audio book.

Whatever you choose to listen to is up to you.  I know I have my favorite podcasts, from business ones, music education ones, inspirational ones, and music I listen to that helps me so much.  Pick your favorites and find the time, even if it’s just as you’re getting ready for work, to listen to each week and you’ll feel so much better.

 

Pray

Prayer is something that is a huge part of my life.  Once I pray about what’s stressing me out, it really helps get it off of myself and hand it off to God. I stop trying to figure out all the things on my own, and trust that God will take care of it in His timing.

But, if you’re not a praying person, you can meditate or even speak whatever it is that’s bothering you out loud.  Who cares if it looks like you’re talking to yourself.  Say something like, “I’m feeling anxious right now because I’m trying to plan this program, get my child to baseball practice on time, and get dinner ready.”  Honestly, I know this sounds silly, but just speaking it out loud and getting something off of my chest and out of my head, makes me feel a bit lighter.

 

 

 

Do something for yourself

Do you have a favorite hobby?  Maybe you don’t do this hobby anymore simply because of lack of time.  I love to play with my kids, for example.  Is this a hobby? Not so much.  But, what I mean is, I’m intentional about really playing with them, turning off my laptop, and having fun going down the slide at a park.  I also really enjoy playing piano on my church’s worship team.  This is something I can do to not only foster the musician side of who I am (like I discussed in this podcast episode), but also is a way for me to do something I love.

Maybe you have something you can do just for you.  Is this ordering food in a certain night so you don’t have to cook?  Or, is it going to your favorite coffee place and just drinking it in peace or with a friend?  Or, maybe you want to buy yourself a new shirt just because it will make you feel better.  Then, go for it!  Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty about wanting to do something for yourself.  So many times, you’re constantly giving to your students, colleagues, and family, and you’re not making time for you.

 

Make time for friends

Life gets so busy and there’s so much going on, that it gets harder and harder to find time for friends.  Can you relate?  Adulting is so hard, and the days of just hanging out with friends any time we want while we’re in college are long gone.  I have to be intentional about scheduling friend time on the calendar and make it a priority.

Be around people who uplift you and who really take the time to listen to you.  Hang out with the friends who inspire you, make you a better version of yourself, and who you can be vulnerable with.  Even if it’s a long distance friendship, still make time to talk to these people who care about you so much.

 

Do nothing

Yes, you heard me right.  Sometimes it’s ok to intentionally do absolutely nothing.  Turn off all technology, social media, don’t respond to texts, and do nothing.  Even if you just once a week give yourself a nothing night and take space to just read a good book or watch your favorite show, it helps alleviate so much stress.

Just simply finding the time to relax and turning the world off for even one hour is ok.  You have to put yourself first sometimes, without feeling even once tiny bit guilty about it.  No, this isn’t selfish and is very much needed.  I promise if you give yourself even just one night a week to have a date with yourself, you’ll feel so much better.

 

Organize your to do list

There are so many tasks that go into daily life.  You have laundry, cooking, cleaning, planning lessons, kids activities, programs, and on and on.  Look at your calendar and write down the non negotiables.  There are things like soccer practice that need to happen every Tuesday night at 6pm, for example.  Then, you can look at your calendar and fill in all the other stuff like “getting groceries” or “stay late after school this day to finish prepping for the week”.

When I started doing this, my organized brain thanked me.  I was able to start really checking things off the to do list and stayed on top of work and home tasks.  When laundry was scheduled in to be done on Monday afternoons, I stuck with that schedule and it made life so much easier.  Also, maybe you can order groceries on Amazon prime, do online banking, or any other task to help simplify your life.  Brainstorm some ideas of how you can really alleviate stress and stick with that plan.

 

Like I said, I talk more about all of this in a lot more detail in this podcast episode.   I want to mention that it’s ok to struggle with anxiety and stress.  If you feel like you need to talk to a counselor or therapist about your struggles, than do it!  Don’t feel like you can’t go speak to someone professionally if you need to.

 

What ways do you strive to alleviate the stress and overwhelm in your life?  I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post.

Also, I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it.

P.S.  Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher?  Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!

Also…I wrote a book called “Make A Note: What You Really Need To Know About Teaching Elementary Music” to help music teachers move forward in your teaching career.  You can get your copy here.