Stressed Out in Child Care

1. Holly Clendenin, RN Child Care Health Consultation Lexington- Fayette County Health Department Stressed Out in Child Care

2. Objectives • You will be able to identify at least 3 causes of stress in and out of the child care setting. • You will be able to name at least 3 ways that stress affects your health and well being. • You will be able to find at least 3 strategies that you can use to use to cope with and manage your stress in and out of the child care setting.

3. What is Stress? ?

4. Which of These is Stressful? • You are promoted at work • You are sitting in standstill traffic • Your child gets sick • All the infants are crying at once • You don’t get along with coworker • You are planning a wedding • You are moving into a new house

5. Good Stress vs. Bad Stress Eustress is Positive Stress Distress is Negative Stress

6. The Definition of Stress? • Defined by Webster: a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension. • Stress is wear and tear our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment. • Stress is the way we react physically, mentally, and emotionally to various conditions, changes, and demands of life.

7. Different Types of Stress • Specific irritating events throughout a time period • General conditions in your life • Life cycle transitions and developmental stages • Conflicts with your belief system

8. What Determines if we are Stressed? • A person’s perception of the situation • A person’s past experience • The presence or absence of social support • Individual differences in response to the stressors • Genetics/low stress tolerance

9. Two Types of Stress Acute vs. Chronic Stress

10. The Acute Stress Response (Fight or Flight) • Hormones (adrenaline & cortisol ) are secreted • HR & BP increase, muscle tension, blood flow diverted to the brain and muscles • Breathing speeds up, pupils dilate, sweating • Feel a rush of strength • Body responds to perceived threat

11. Causes of Acute Stress • Danger • Illness, injury, or personal loss • Imagining a threat or remembering a dangerous event • Money problems • Noise • Crowded situations • Hunger • Job changes, new job, or fear of being laid off

12. The Chronic Stress Response • Chronic Stress is long-term Stress. • Your body’s response depends on the severity and duration of the stress and how you respond. • Stress plays a role in many health problems.

13. Symptoms of Stress Physical mental Constantly irritable and intolerant of minor things. Everyone get on you nerves. You get angry quickly. Difficulty concentrating Doubt your ability to do things Worry too much Depression • Rapid heartbeat & chest pain • Headache • Stiff neck/tight shoulders • Backache • Rapid breathing • Sweating and sweaty palms • Upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea • Feel jumpy or exhausted all the time

14. Prolonged Chronic Stress May Cause You to Have • Weaken immune system causing frequent illness • Heart damage • Damage to memory cells • Depression • Burnout • Job injuries or accidents • Musculoskeletal disorders • Anxiety Disorder

15. Prolonged Stress If the stressor does not go away or continues for a long time, the body experiences a constant state of alarm. At this point the body is vulnerable to illness and even death.

16. Throw Away Your Stress! • Work with the person on your right and talk with them about what causes stress in your daily life and stress at work. • Write down 3 things that stress you at work and 3 things away from work. • Fold up your papers and bring them up to me and throw them away in the paper cup.

17. Stress at Work • Prolonged Stress leads to burnout. • It can affect your job performance. • It can affect relationships with your coworkers. • It keeps you from being the best you can be with the children in your care.

18. Possible Causes of Stress in Child Care • Having no participation in decisions that affect your job • Unreasonable expectations for performance • Lack of job security • Excessive time spent away from family/home • Office politics/conflicts between coworkers • Lack of communication • Low wages • Tension between parents and caregivers • Too much work, too little time • Noise • Immediacy of children’s needs • Staff/ Child ratio

19. Managing Your Stress • Become aware of your stressors • Become aware of your physical/emotional reactions • Recognize what you can change and what you can’t • Learn to moderate your physical reaction to stress • Build your physical reserves • Learn to say no • Be a friend to yourself!

20. Coping Skills • Learning how to cope begins as a child. • We develop positive coping skills as we grow up if we have a positive model to watch. • You model positive or negative coping skills for the children in your care.

21. Negative Coping Responses • Criticizing self • Driving fast in a car or road rage • Chewing fingernails • Becoming aggressive or violent • Eating too much or too little • Smoking or chewing tobacco • Drink alcohol to excess • Yelling at spouse, children, or coworkers • Taking recreational drugs to calm down or relax • Avoiding people

22. Positive Coping Responses • Listen to music or play a musical instrument • Play with a pet • Laugh or cry • Take bath or shower • Write, paint, or other creative activity • Attend your house of worship • Exercise or go outdoors • Discuss situations with a spouse or close friend • Garden or make home repairs • Practice deep breathing, meditation, or muscle relaxation • Write in a journal

23. Breathe! • Bend forward from the waist, knees slightly bent, let arms dangle close to the floor. • Inhale slowly and deeply. Return to standing position by rolling up slowly, lifting your head last. • Hold your breath for just a few seconds in this standing position. • Exhale slowly as you return to the original position.

24. Laughter is the Best Medicine • Laughter relieves stress. • Laughter enhances the immune system and may combat diseases. • It also provides many positive psychological benefits.

25. Relax and Chill Out • Concentrate on relaxing one stiff muscle • Stretch / Yoga • Meditate • Use visual imagery • Aromatherapy • Take a nap

26. Move! • Walk to work • Use the stairs • Play outside with your children • Plant a garden • Mow the lawn • Aerobic exercise or dance • Walk your dog • Do something YOU enjoy!!!

27. Take a Break! • Go to a movie • Take a drive • Take a nap • Go to a free concert or art museum • Swim • Read a book • Get fresh air

28. Get a Massage! • Pair up and place hands on a friend’s shoulders. • Knead the 2 muscles on either side of their neck. • Work on the back of the neck. • Be sure to ask your friend to return the favor!

29. When to Seek Professional Help • You feel trapped and there is nowhere to turn. • You worry constantly. • The way you feel affects your sleep, your appetite, your job, and your relationships. • You have thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else.

30. Where to Get Help • Healthcare providers, local health clinics, state or local mental health clinics, or marriage or family counselors • School counselors or advisors • Leaders in your church • For alcohol and other drug problems, call the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment’s National Helpline at • 1-800-662-HELP

31. Resources • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health website http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/ • Hospice of the Bluegrass- Guide to Understanding Stress • NTI @ UNC,Chapel Hill, Promoting the Health and Safety of Child Care Staff Training Module version 3,04/24/2009 • Family Mangement.com Practices to Reduce Stress Among Child Care Providers http://www.faminlymangement.com/childcare/practices/stress.reduction.practices,html • Workers Online News, Chronic Stress in Child Care http://www.workers.labor.net.au/110/news32_chronic.html

32. Resources • The American Association for Therapeutic Humor http://www.aath.org/history.htm • Caring for Our Children National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out of Home Child Care Programs, 2nd edition • Thanks to Karen Jones and Amy Brown

33. “Lighter Than Air” Magic Trick

34. How Did I Do? Thanks Creative Kids Staff!