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