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Case Study

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BUKIDNON STATE UNIVERSITY
Malaybalay City, Bukidnon 8700
Tel (088) 813-5661 to 5663; TeleFax (088) 813-2717, www.buksu.edu.ph
COLLEGE OF ADMINISTRATION GRADUATE PROGRAM
Recreational Activities of Teachers to Cope with
Stress in the New Normal
CARLA PAMELA C. ALO
a Case Study submitted in fulfilment of requirement for the subject EA202:
Human Behavior and Decision Making in Organization
September 2021
Introduction
The pandemic has inflected pessimism towards our mentality in
dealing with our day to day living. Since the pandemic started anxiety,
depression, psychological stress, and poor sleep have been reported to
be the main psychological outcomes of living with the COVID-19
emergency (Rajkumar, 2020). Huge pile of paper works, answer sheets
to check, modules to monitor and different coordinatorship’s reports to
health protocols to follow, sad news on our social media, and the
prohibited mass gatherings. These are the reality around. Thus, the
contributors of stress. Our mental health is challenged. As a teacher and
a student, stress is inevitable. Both requires time, effort and sanity.
Various coping strategies have been identified in the literature as
being effective in addressing mental health, including pharmaceuticals
(Gartlehner et al., 2017), psychotherapy, bright-light therapy (Holvast
et al., 2017), and meditation (Jain et al., 2015). Physical activity has
also been highlighted in the literature as an important modifiable
lifestyle behavior for brain function and development (Sharma et al.,
2006; American Psychological Association, 2011; Chekroud et al.,
2018). Physical activity includes exercise as well as other activities
which involve bodily movement and are done as part of playing,
working, active transportation, house chores and recreational activities.
Stressed individuals are more likely to engage in unhealthy
behaviors, reduced productivity, increased absenteeism and
unmotivated. Workplace stress is a silent, and oft-neglected factor
which impairs employees’ health and productivity. Stress affects our
body, our mood and our behavior. As an educator, what silver lining
could we advise to ourselves and what could we influence to our
learners?
With the arising stress and fear caused by pandemic, the
researcher would like to conduct a study exploring the recreational
activities of teachers and propose interventions or provide
recommendations to cope with stress in the new normal.
Background
Stress is our body’s response to pressure. It is often triggered
when we experienced something new, unexpected or that threatens our
sense of self, or what we feel we have little control over a situation. Our
ability to cope can depend on our genetics, early life events, personality
and social economic circumstances. When we encounter stress, our
body produces stress hormones that trigger a fight or flight response
and activate our immune system. Specific to mental health, there is
evidence reporting a positive association between physical activity and
alleviation of symptoms related to anxiety and depression (Sharma et
al., 2006; Chekroud et al., 2018; Schuch et al., 2018; Schuch and
Stubbs, 2019).
Recreational activities, as to be used in this study, is anything that
is stimulating and rejuvenating for an individual. P. Madow (1965)
stated that ‘recreation’ means having fun or enjoying a pastime or
diversion. Recreational activity is any activity undertaken for the
purpose of exercise, relaxation or pleasure. It does not include any
organized team sport activity sponsored by anyone. Recreation is
physical or mental activity pursued primarily for pleasure. Activities
such as game or hobby.
Recreational activities will be used to
divert attention from stress. It’s not running away from stress but a
healing strategy that would change individual’s point of view into
something beneficial and productive. It could be a form of refreshment
or a charging period. These activities will be a counter attack to stress.
When people got engaged in leisure activity, they have lower
stress levels, better mood, a lower heart rate and more psychological
engagement — that means less boredom, which can help avoid
unhealthy behaviors said Zawadzki (2015). But it’s important to
immerse themselves in the activity and protect their leisure time from
external stressors. Stress comes in many forms it could from the social
media accounts that you are scrolling and are entertaining you as
supported by (Ellis et al, 2020). He said that adolescents’ well-being
and psychiatric symptoms highlighted that depression and feelings of
loneliness are related with great time spent on social media, while
family time, physical activity, and schoolwork play a protective role for
depression. As a teacher our job is hooked on our social media
accounts. Updates, school files, reports and mostly everything is done
online. Minimizing, limiting and disciplining one is a good way to
avoid stress, if social media is a form stressor.
Alternatives
At the beginning of the pandemic, individuals were engaged to
various activities to entertain oneself and drive away boredom. Internet
connectivity has become more accessible that put individuals at home.
As per experience, I have identified different recreational activities to
venture my time in the new normal. Mücke et al., 2018 suggest that
physical activity can assist with reducing stress reactivity and
enhancing resiliency (Childs and de Wit, 2014). Thus, I present
different alternatives that focuses on physical activities.
First, outdoor activities. Spending quality time in the great
outdoors reduces stress, calms anxiety, and can lead to a lower risk of
depression, according to a study done by researchers at Stanford
University. In addition to having mental health benefits, being outdoors
opens up your senses to your surroundings and improves your sensory
perception. Taking in the sights, smells, and feelings of nature has
many health benefits it can even be prescribed by a doctor. Going out
would be if it will be done with your family. Walking, hiking, and
cycling would do. Walking to be amazed of sunrise and experience sun
kiss. Hiking and feel the calmness of the mountain. Cycling for an
uphill and downhill experience. Second, if you’re a green thumb then
it suites you-a plantnatics. The mechanisms by which nature is said to
confer benefit hinge on two principal theories: stress reduction theory
(Ulrich, 1983) and attention restoration theory (Kaplan, 1995). It
welcomes different age bracket. Research to date has focused on how
proximity of green and blue spaces to living or working environments
provides psychological and physiological benefits.Caring for plants
relieves stress and drives you away from its causes. Third, learn a new
skill. It could be art, music, cooking, singing or anything. Think of the
skills you wanted to learn before. Skills that interests you. Painting,
playing an instrument, or cooking food. A common tactic is to retreat
– to temporarily disconnect from work and get away from the stressful
environment. This helps explain why “relaxation facilities”, such as
nap rooms, workout equipment, and entertainment zones are becoming
popular offerings at companies in knowledge-intensive industries.
(Zhang et.al. 2018). Their research also suggests to focus on learning.
This also means picking up a new skill, gathering new information, or
seeking out intellectual challenges. Fourth, spend time with your
family. A PLOS ONE study showed that participant’s stress, happiness,
and well-being levels were better predicted by their social circle
strength. Remember, family doesn’t necessarily have to be considered
blood relatives (Thatcher, 2020). Dr. Todd Thatcher also added that
spending time with family-especially face-to-face communication
significantly reduces the occurrence of depression, anxiety and other
mental illness. Being physically present with loved ones creates a
strong emotional support to buoy you up through life’s challenges.
Being with family and doing activities together also provides an outlet
for pent-up emotions. Spending time with family teaches interpersonal
communication skills including healthy, constructive ways to discuss,
debate and solve problems. Those with strong family healthy
relationships tend to seek out healthier coping mechanisms for stresssuch as confiding in friends and family-instead of other unhealthy
outlets. This establishes a habit of talking through problems together to
relieve stress and find effective solutions. It could be in the form of
group games, board games, puzzle games, singing or praying. Fifth, pet
ownership or interacting with animals. Interacting with animals has
been shown to decrease levels of cortisol or stress-related hormone and
lower blood pressure (Schuck et.al. 2015). Other studies have found
that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support,
and boost your mood. But people who are allergic to certain animals,
having pets at home can do more harm than good.
These alternatives is an opening to everyone who have and are
experiencing stress. These are options to divert your attention from the
stress and heal yourself in the process. Coping with stress is a selfdirected measure.
Proposed Solution
This pandemic that we are experiencing is a different kind of
environment that we used to. Everything that our body is feeling must
be taken into considerations. We must listen to our body, and must
avoid being overworked.
In our field of work, stress is very inevitable. Change in
leadership, change in management, change in curriculum, and even
routines. As for me, due to pandemic, I got used with having a relaxed
being. Before I got employed, I was a babysitter to my 2 handsome
nephews. My routine revolved around them and the house chores. In
the middle of the year I enrolled in masteral classes and in the beginning
of the year I got deployed in a far-flung school. I must say the beginning
is quite hard. It was stressful, and draining. When I answered my
assignments I can’t find the right terms to use. My head is aching, it
was hard. My mind seems not working. Aside from that, my other
struggle is that I don’t know most of my classmates. One thing I have
realized in the virtual education—you need friends to survive or a
friendly attitude that would approach the classmates and teachers for
any concerns. When I began my teaching career, my school assignment
was quite far. The road is very slippery, rocky, cliff, and would pass
many mountains. At first, when the road is very muddy I would go
down and would prefer to walk. The teachers assigned there, are going
home every day. So I have to deal with the road every day. With all the
pile of works that needs to meet the deadline—most nights I would
sleep late and be back the next day accomplishing it. Plus the struggle
that I can’t really asks much questions or queries to anyone. I just ask
minimal questions because they might find it annoying. A journey I
didn’t get used to get me stressed. Sometimes, when I feel tired and in
the middle of finishing tasks I would pause. I would bike or anything
that would disconnect me from the online world and be back with a
more determined being. Online world, sometimes, make me stressful.
Though it is very informative but a teacher once said “too little is
dangerous and too much is also dangerous”. High number of positive
cases, number of casualties, and negative mindset of the vaccines
(zombie-thingy). It is negative in the sense that it has a negative effect
on me. I see every number negatively. Instead of dwelling with
negativities, I/we neglected that number of recovered individuals is also
rising.
Aside from the pandemic that we are all facing, our call of duty
can’t be ignored. Online transactions are rising—and I must say
internet connection is a need.
One thing that motivates to finish it earlier—it cycling. Whenever I
finished a major task, I would unwind. I disconnect from the online
world to freshen myself. I would challenge myself using my OWN
interest. I make a deal to myself and somehow it motivates me.
Recommendations
Sometimes, stress can have a positive effect on your thoughts,
emotions, behaviors and body reactions. Stress is more likely to result
in positive outcomes if you see it as a challenge or something you can
strive to overcome. It can help motivate you to work hard. Stress can
also lead to positive effects if you respond with healthy behaviours that
improve your situation. You can experience the positive effects of
stress even in the face of some negative effects. Your stress levels and
your coping skills can also influence your physical health. Higher
levels of stress can increase the risk of illness and disease.
There is no right or wrong way to cope with stress. What works
for one person may not work for another, and what works in one
situation may not work in another situation. Below, you will find
common ways to cope with stress and maintain wellness.
References
Rajkumar, 2020 ; Holvast et al., 2017;Jain et al., 2015
Positive and Negative Experiences of Living in
COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of Italian Adolescents’
Narratives
Sharma et al., 2006; Chekroud et al., 2018; Schuch et al., 2018; Schuch
and Stubbs, 2019).
Physical Activity as a Coping Strategy for Mental Health Due to
the COVID-19 Virus: A Potential Disconnect Among Canadian
Adults?
P. Madow (ed.) (1965)
Recreation in America., New York, H.W Wilson, p. 3
Zawadzki (2015).
Relax: Benefits of Leisure Go Beyond the Moment
Ellis et al, 2020). Positive and Negative Experiences of Living in
COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of Italian Adolescents’
Narratives
Stanford University, 2018.
Benefits of Hiking
Ulrich, 1983; Kaplan, 1995
A Walk on the Wild Side: How Interactions with non-companion
animals might help reduce human stress
Zhang et.al., 2018
To Cope with Stress, Try Learning Something New
Thatcher, 2020
The Top Ten Benefits of Spending time with Family
Schuck et.al, 2015
Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interactions
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