Feeling stress these days? You are not alone. Nannies are not immune to the societal pressures and problems that impinge upon our daily lives. The tumbling economy, staggering loss of jobs, and confusion about the future weighs heavily upon many Americans. While most nannies report above average job satisfaction it is natural to sometimes feel stressed or burnt out- especially in these times.
Perhaps your stress is the direct result of a change in the behavior of your employer or could it be that your job description is expanding and you have trouble speaking up? Perhaps you are worried that one of your employers will lose their job and in turn you might lose yours. Or could it be that your employer might be cutting your hours down and you have anxiety about paying your bills?
Here are some tips for dealing.
Identify the Source of the Stress. Is there a way of communicating with your employers to help ease some of the strain? It is also possible that the job is no longer the right job for you and it is time to begin transitioning out. In some cases, a nanny might realize that the stress is not from the job but coming from issues in their personal lives.
Get Organized. Most of us feel more comfortable with order and structure. Keeping a daily “to-do” list emphasizing priorities can provide you with the road map you need. Have two lists. One for your personal life and one for your job.
Supernanny? As human beings we all have limits. It is important to be in touch with these. Work and live life at a pace that is comfortable for you. Maintaining a steady flow and rhythm and staying centered is a great stress-buster.
Drop the Perfectionism. Nothing is perfect. Working closely with children and families on a daily basis is thankfully, an imperfect science. Enjoy the many rewards, adventures and spontaneity inherent in your unique job.
Make Relaxation and Exercise Part of Your Day. Whether it be Yoga, relaxing/breathing exercises, a massage, jog, spinning, or a long walk, it is important to calendar this in on a daily basis. Try living in the moment.
Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full? Stress and negativity beget more stress and negativity. Try focusing on the positive things in your life.
Communicate on a Regular Basis with Employers. Make the time to talk and do not be afraid to evaluate goals and share positive and constructive critical feedback. The most successful nanny-employer relationships are based upon open channels of communication.
Commit it to Writing. Another strategy for dealing with stress is to write it down and then put it away. by writing it down you might start to identify a pattern to your stress and the source or sources and hopeuflly work on resolving it rather than letting it infect your life.
Be Social and Collegial. Get out with friends and colleagues and refresh and reaffirm that we all need to have fun and friends. Concerts, Movies, Museums and eating out are great ways of relieving stress.
Winter is Gone. Just thinking about that makes me happy. Hope it does the same thing for you.
Would love to hear about any other tips from nannies.
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