How do you "come down" from a bad day?

Thinker · 01-20-2011, 12:41 AM

Being a substitute is hard work; I commend you for trying. I know you don't get paid to do this, but try it if you're willing...

Get there about 45 minutes early so you have the day's plan down pat; that should keep you from feeling like you're winging it. And then stay as long as you need to get the report written up and everything organized. Don't rush out of there if you don't have to.

Again, I know you don't get paid for that extra time; but I really believe it's important to take time in the morning to *know* the day's plan and then take time at the end of the day to put it all in order........and let it go. That's important; once you walk out of that room leave what happened in there *in there*. Maybe physically shut the door to symbolize shutting out the tension of the day???

Not sure how you feel about exercise, but I bet a 10-minute jog or 20-minute vigorous walk would do wonders for releasing a lot of that stress.

I spent a lot of years in the classroom, and a lot of those years taking classes as well. I *know* how hard your days are. You definitely need to come up with some strategies to manage the stress and, most importantly, take care of *you*.

Best wishes...

Venus007 · 01-20-2011, 01:01 AM

What Thinker said about planning ahead is great advice

I also like to work out with a heavy bag and smack the crap out of it, it really helps release tension.

I also do small things to pamper myself on my lunch like listen to great music, look at beautiful things on my computer or phone, have a short meditation

I also use my time in the car as cool down and reset time, sometimes I scream in my car if it is really bad. By the time I get home usually the initial cranky ass part is diffused.

Good luck

Kobi · 01-20-2011, 02:31 AM

I worked in health care/mental health for decades. When I took work home with me,
it was either because something particularly hideous occurred or,
there was something I felt I could have handled better.

Either way, for the ride home, my listening pleasure was
classical music if I needed to just mellow out, a comedy tape
(yes we used tapes back then) if I needed to laugh, or
something by Loretta LaRoche if I needed a kick in the butt.

Once home, physical activity was a necessity....
a walk on the beach, bike ride, trip to the gym, raquetball game.
The activity seemed to expel the excess energy and calm my
mind enough for me to relax and be able to process what I needed to.

A hot shower or bath as kind of a ritual washing away of the
days crap helped.

A hearty meal followed by a calming movie or good book helped as well.

Cowboi · 01-20-2011, 05:22 AM

Alcohol........LoL

asphaltcowboi · 01-20-2011, 05:28 AM

the gym and the jacuzzi

morningstar55 · 01-20-2011, 05:33 AM

pets is a awsome idea......

but another idea.....to unwind a bit...... scrabble.. lol

Chancie · 01-20-2011, 05:48 AM

I'm a full time teacher, and I like my job a lot, but being a sub is very hard.

Thinker's suggestions are great; the more time you have in the classroom to get oriented, the better you'll feel when kids start arriving.

It might help to spend a few minutes in the classroom at the end of the day, tidying, leaving a note for the regular teacher, erasing the board. You'll have a sense of closure for the day and that is very difficult when you're a sub.

Anyway, you asked us what we do to relax when we get home!

While it is very tempting to pull out the Haagen Daz, for me, I usually feel crappy when I use food to soothe me. That doesn't mean I never do it, but I need to feel refreshed when I wake up, very early in the morning.

I don't think I have any great ideas to suggest. I always fantasize about taking a nap, but if I don't do that early in the evening, it ruins my night's sleep.

I tend to be able to get a lot done, but I'm like a toddler. All of a sudden I crash, and then I can't budge, can't tidy, can't cook. I think there's a better way.

RockOn · 01-20-2011, 06:49 AM

I am a software engineer. I love my job - it is fun to me. Sometimes people who sit around me get too noisey. This stresses me because it shreds my concentration. I went CUJO (rabid dog) on a friend of mine the Thursday before Christmas. I hated it but his loud mouth worked that last strand of a nerve I had left that morning. Then after Christmas, I called him out to the warehouse in an effort to smooth it over and damn, we almost locked up again. I am always ready to apologize and admit fault when I am able to see it but will not grovel before anyone. I had dropped several hints to this fellow about his noise over the course of a couple of months earlier. It was not like he was clue-free. Thank goodness I said a prayer to the Good Spirit beforehand to help me stay civilized. I am not religious at all but when I ask for help from this entity ("The Good Spirit" that I made up) then it is my responsibility to do my part. This works for me and that is what matters.

At this particular job, it is mainly a male oriented environment. I will not have guys run over me - I am an equal. This does not sit well with some of the guys who have stated computer science is not for women. I just blow it off. Ignorant comments like this do not affect me.

I'll bet there were conversations about "the dyke" who went psycho just before Christmas. *chuckling to self* I was one pissed off stone butch that day. What others think of me is really not a concern of mine. I do not "make nice" in order to be liked or get approval.

To de-stress, I come home, fix a cup of General Foods International coffee that I keep for special times. I call it my after work toddie. LOL! Then I sit on the floor, hug and play with my dogs. Normally in about 30 minutes to an hour, after much affection from Kelly and Kevin, my head is clear, calm ... I am okay.

Swell idea for a topic.

Miss Scarlett · 01-20-2011, 05:40 AM

What works best for me is to take the time to be still and quiet - lets me clear my mind. Whether that means being outside listening to the soothing sounds of nature or at home in my favourite comfy chair. Either way it usually doesn't take long for me to come in for a landing.

Still there are times when my job can get pretty intense, leaving me feeling like my head is going to explode and I can't really talk to anyone about the details of the day because of attorney/client confidentiality. So if it's been particularly heinous day I will sit down, write it all out and then burn or bury the paper. Never tearing it - don't want to scatter that stuff back into my world.

As always there is smudging, incense, candles and meditation.

01-20-2011, 12:41 AM	#1
Thinker Senior Member How Do You Identify?: transman Preferred Pronoun?: male Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,868 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 710 Thanked 4,133 Times in 1,079 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Being a substitute is hard work; I commend you for trying. I know you don't get paid to do this, but try it if you're willing... Get there about 45 minutes early so you have the day's plan down pat; that should keep you from feeling like you're winging it. And then stay as long as you need to get the report written up and everything organized. Don't rush out of there if you don't have to. Again, I know you don't get paid for that extra time; but I really believe it's important to take time in the morning to know the day's plan and then take time at the end of the day to put it all in order........and let it go. That's important; once you walk out of that room leave what happened in there in there. Maybe physically shut the door to symbolize shutting out the tension of the day??? Not sure how you feel about exercise, but I bet a 10-minute jog or 20-minute vigorous walk would do wonders for releasing a lot of that stress. I spent a lot of years in the classroom, and a lot of those years taking classes as well. I know how hard your days are. You definitely need to come up with some strategies to manage the stress and, most importantly, take care of you. Best wishes... __________________ Practice humility and kindness.

01-20-2011, 01:01 AM	#2
Venus007 Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Serene Highness ;} Relationship Status: Dreamily contemplating some outrage against conventional morality Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston area Posts: 1,362 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,417 Thanked 4,750 Times in 1,139 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	What Thinker said about planning ahead is great advice I also like to work out with a heavy bag and smack the crap out of it, it really helps release tension. I also do small things to pamper myself on my lunch like listen to great music, look at beautiful things on my computer or phone, have a short meditation I also use my time in the car as cool down and reset time, sometimes I scream in my car if it is really bad. By the time I get home usually the initial cranky ass part is diffused. Good luck __________________ . "I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction. " Ayn Rand, Anthem "So you'll die happily for your sins. You'd rather die in guilt then live in love?" Timothy Leary

01-20-2011, 02:31 AM	#3
Kobi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Biological female. Lesbian. Relationship Status: Happy Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hanging out in the Atlantic. Posts: 9,234 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,840 Thanked 34,635 Times in 7,642 Posts Rep Power: 21474861	I worked in health care/mental health for decades. When I took work home with me, it was either because something particularly hideous occurred or, there was something I felt I could have handled better. Either way, for the ride home, my listening pleasure was classical music if I needed to just mellow out, a comedy tape (yes we used tapes back then) if I needed to laugh, or something by Loretta LaRoche if I needed a kick in the butt. Once home, physical activity was a necessity.... a walk on the beach, bike ride, trip to the gym, raquetball game. The activity seemed to expel the excess energy and calm my mind enough for me to relax and be able to process what I needed to. A hot shower or bath as kind of a ritual washing away of the days crap helped. A hearty meal followed by a calming movie or good book helped as well. __________________

01-20-2011, 05:22 AM	#4
Cowboi Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: Holding My Red Circle Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,811 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,051 Thanked 3,962 Times in 1,230 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Alcohol........LoL __________________ Let There Be Cowgirls

01-20-2011, 05:28 AM	#5
asphaltcowboi Senior Member How Do You Identify?: butch Relationship Status: HAPPY Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: ..... Posts: 1,509 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,367 Thanked 3,297 Times in 1,042 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	the gym and the jacuzzi __________________

01-20-2011, 05:33 AM	#6
morningstar55 Senior Member How Do You Identify?: femme,she Preferred Pronoun?: she,her, Relationship Status: very single Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: western NY Posts: 3,809 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,280 Thanked 4,240 Times in 1,845 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	pets is a awsome idea...... but another idea.....to unwind a bit...... scrabble.. lol __________________ -------------------------------------------- life is to short to wake up in the morning with regrets so love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who dont, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance take it... if it changes your life let it.

01-20-2011, 05:48 AM	#7
Chancie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: queer femme-inist Relationship Status: I'm lucky. Join Date: May 2010 Location: Western Mass Posts: 3,774 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,518 Thanked 14,541 Times in 2,744 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I'm a full time teacher, and I like my job a lot, but being a sub is very hard. Thinker's suggestions are great; the more time you have in the classroom to get oriented, the better you'll feel when kids start arriving. It might help to spend a few minutes in the classroom at the end of the day, tidying, leaving a note for the regular teacher, erasing the board. You'll have a sense of closure for the day and that is very difficult when you're a sub. Anyway, you asked us what we do to relax when we get home! While it is very tempting to pull out the Haagen Daz, for me, I usually feel crappy when I use food to soothe me. That doesn't mean I never do it, but I need to feel refreshed when I wake up, very early in the morning. I don't think I have any great ideas to suggest. I always fantasize about taking a nap, but if I don't do that early in the evening, it ruins my night's sleep. I tend to be able to get a lot done, but I'm like a toddler. All of a sudden I crash, and then I can't budge, can't tidy, can't cook. I think there's a better way.

01-20-2011, 06:49 AM	#8
RockOn Senior Member How Do You Identify?: sitting over there ----->>>>> :) Preferred Pronoun?: .... Relationship Status: .... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: .... Posts: 3,522 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,081 Thanked 10,304 Times in 2,610 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I am a software engineer. I love my job - it is fun to me. Sometimes people who sit around me get too noisey. This stresses me because it shreds my concentration. I went CUJO (rabid dog) on a friend of mine the Thursday before Christmas. I hated it but his loud mouth worked that last strand of a nerve I had left that morning. Then after Christmas, I called him out to the warehouse in an effort to smooth it over and damn, we almost locked up again. I am always ready to apologize and admit fault when I am able to see it but will not grovel before anyone. I had dropped several hints to this fellow about his noise over the course of a couple of months earlier. It was not like he was clue-free. Thank goodness I said a prayer to the Good Spirit beforehand to help me stay civilized. I am not religious at all but when I ask for help from this entity ("The Good Spirit" that I made up) then it is my responsibility to do my part. This works for me and that is what matters. At this particular job, it is mainly a male oriented environment. I will not have guys run over me - I am an equal. This does not sit well with some of the guys who have stated computer science is not for women. I just blow it off. Ignorant comments like this do not affect me. I'll bet there were conversations about "the dyke" who went psycho just before Christmas. chuckling to self I was one pissed off stone butch that day. What others think of me is really not a concern of mine. I do not "make nice" in order to be liked or get approval. To de-stress, I come home, fix a cup of General Foods International coffee that I keep for special times. I call it my after work toddie. LOL! Then I sit on the floor, hug and play with my dogs. Normally in about 30 minutes to an hour, after much affection from Kelly and Kevin, my head is clear, calm ... I am okay. Swell idea for a topic.

01-20-2011, 05:40 AM	#9
Miss Scarlett Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: . Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: . Posts: 5,530 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,478 Thanked 12,947 Times in 3,419 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	What works best for me is to take the time to be still and quiet - lets me clear my mind. Whether that means being outside listening to the soothing sounds of nature or at home in my favourite comfy chair. Either way it usually doesn't take long for me to come in for a landing. Still there are times when my job can get pretty intense, leaving me feeling like my head is going to explode and I can't really talk to anyone about the details of the day because of attorney/client confidentiality. So if it's been particularly heinous day I will sit down, write it all out and then burn or bury the paper. Never tearing it - don't want to scatter that stuff back into my world. As always there is smudging, incense, candles and meditation.