Stress management workshops Based on the Comenius course “Stress Management at School” at Cap d’ Ail, France 2 – 10 November 2008 Maria Zarpetea Ioannou, teacher of English

Mediterranean Centre, Cap d’ Ail

The seminar room and the group

Types of activities Getting to know each other exercises Getting to know each other exercises Team spirit activities Team spirit activities Stress awareness activities Stress awareness activities Relaxation exercises Relaxation exercises Safety exercises Safety exercises Silence exercises Silence exercises Mission, roles and goals exercises Mission, roles and goals exercises Reflection exercises Reflection exercises Beginner’s mind exercises Beginner’s mind exercises Conflict resolution / Problem solving / Emotional Intelligence exercises Conflict resolution / Problem solving / Emotional Intelligence exercises Communication activities Communication activities Guided visualization Guided visualization Positive feedback exercises Positive feedback exercises

Safety exercises

Group massage

Group activities on being aware of and expressing feelings

Drama activities

Creative expression exercise

Positive feedback exercise

1) Getting to know each other a)Favourite relaxation position a)Favourite relaxation position b)Teacher – Parents groups b)Teacher – Parents groups Chairs in a circle, personal questions, memories – simple questions – people feel comfortable Chairs in a circle, personal questions, memories – simple questions – people feel comfortable These activities must be followed by reflection: These activities must be followed by reflection: How did you feel at the beginning before the session started? How did you feel when we started the exercises? What about the last discussion (teacher-parents group)? How did you feel at the beginning before the session started? How did you feel when we started the exercises? What about the last discussion (teacher-parents group)? Lots of games and exercises – choose ones that fit into your educational setting – the three most important factors: no competition in them – not humiliating – fun – you need exercises that give hope – laugh together with somebody, not at somebody Lots of games and exercises – choose ones that fit into your educational setting – the three most important factors: no competition in them – not humiliating – fun – you need exercises that give hope – laugh together with somebody, not at somebody

2) Team spirit activities Group activities – each group has to do a series of activities (table, net, hands and feet, field, puzzle) Group activities – each group has to do a series of activities (table, net, hands and feet, field, puzzle) Company Company Reflection on group work (handout) Reflection on group work (handout) Coming closer Coming closer A challenge A challenge Being aware of possible negative/difficult feelings Being aware of possible negative/difficult feelings Being reflective (how did you feel, talk about hurtful feelings as well) Being reflective (how did you feel, talk about hurtful feelings as well) Active learning – pupils participate in the process of learning Active learning – pupils participate in the process of learning In controlled learning situations the teacher’s role is very stressful – to keep students silent and paying attention In controlled learning situations the teacher’s role is very stressful – to keep students silent and paying attention There is a need to vary methods, release tension – action releases tension There is a need to vary methods, release tension – action releases tension We learn through the entire body, our sensations, our emotions We learn through the entire body, our sensations, our emotions Problem solving exercises – the skills used are appropriate for many lessons (communication practices in language lessons, for example) Problem solving exercises – the skills used are appropriate for many lessons (communication practices in language lessons, for example)

3) Stress awareness activity 3) Stress awareness activity 4) Safety exercises: a) Heat walking b) In the hands of the group 4) Safety exercises: a) Heat walking b) In the hands of the group Reflection on safety exercises, The safety increases in the group, When using the safety exercises (handout) Reflection on safety exercises, The safety increases in the group, When using the safety exercises (handout)

5) Beginner’s mind With the mind of a beginner you look again With the mind of a beginner you look again Freedom Freedom Critical mind: Is this really right? Critical mind: Is this really right? Living each moment to the full Living each moment to the full Wholistic experience Wholistic experience

6) Conflict resolution / Problem solving / Emotional Intelligence a) Dice game a) Dice game b) Expressing feelings through pantomime and drama – guessing b) Expressing feelings through pantomime and drama – guessing Handout on Emotional “intelligence”/ emotional sensitivity Handout on Emotional “intelligence”/ emotional sensitivity

7) Communication styles Walking exercise Walking exercise Each style different – in each individual situation you need to be one of these Each style different – in each individual situation you need to be one of these Me and the Other Me and the Other Aggressive communication: only me Aggressive communication: only me Passive mode: the other runs you over – defeat Passive mode: the other runs you over – defeat Balanced communication style: You respect the other’s communication style and feel your being and their being together Balanced communication style: You respect the other’s communication style and feel your being and their being together Doing the right thing on the right spot – when you have a fixed mind, you always do the same thing – but when you have an open mind, you change in accordance to the circumstances of your life Doing the right thing on the right spot – when you have a fixed mind, you always do the same thing – but when you have an open mind, you change in accordance to the circumstances of your life

8) Being capable of saying “no” Simple questions and possible answers Simple questions and possible answers How do you feel about each answer? How do you feel about each answer? If you always have to give the same answer, have a look at your attitude, your feelings If you always have to give the same answer, have a look at your attitude, your feelings Another option: Give me some time to think about it. Another option: Give me some time to think about it. Sometimes saying “no” to somebody else is saying “yes” to yourself Sometimes saying “no” to somebody else is saying “yes” to yourself People feel guilty when they take time for themselves – some people are always ready to serve others, wanting to be good persons, to please, so that everybody will love them – these attitudes are caused by not being able to say “no” People feel guilty when they take time for themselves – some people are always ready to serve others, wanting to be good persons, to please, so that everybody will love them – these attitudes are caused by not being able to say “no” When you take care of yourself first, then your presence is radiating (oxygen mask on aeroplane) When you take care of yourself first, then your presence is radiating (oxygen mask on aeroplane)

9) Guided visualization 9) Guided visualization 10) Mission / values / roles exercise: The Funeral (handout) 10) Mission / values / roles exercise: The Funeral (handout) 11) Positive feedback exercise 11) Positive feedback exercise