Half-term beckons - maximise your oxytocin release
For many teachers half-term starts next week. In terms of commitment one could argue that half-term actually starts at the end of today. For some teachers this is an opportunity to run half-term courses and earn a few extra pounds (maybe even several hundred.)
For others, half-term is an opportunity to catch up with the exciting task of marking work, (especially coursework) – or even preparing lessons for the second half of term
For others half-term is an opportunity to start to rebuild after a stressful first few weeks of the year. Often it is the NQTs who are under most stress and comments such as:
“I have a difficult class, Y6, the mix doesn’t work, they are VERY vocal, argumentative, both towards each other and to me. Last term I was hit by one child which resulted in fixed term exclusion, after having spent weeks of trying to contain the child enough so that I could teach the rest of the class. There was also a second child with massive behaviour problems who was moved to another class and has since also been excluded for hitting a teacher”
are, sadly, not uncommon On rare occasions this can even lead to a shooting incident.
So what is stress?
The Health and Safety Executive says:
“HSE defines stress as "the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them". Pressure is part and parcel of all work and helps to keep us motivated . But excessive pressure can lead to stress which undermines performance, is costly to employers and can make people ill.”
So what can be done about stress?
A search on Google will offer many ways to reduce stress. This may be listening to certain types of music, exercise, changing diet, changing job, changing partner, meditation, yoga – or having sex
Now the BBC article I have linked to about sex and stress is aimed at those who are preparing for a public speech. But then, that’s what teachers do all day every day. Admittedly speaking on Leaver’s Day or at the Christmas Carol Service is more ‘in public’ than merely addressing a class but presumably ways of reducing stress for those conducting Assembly would equally apply to those who are faced by year 10 on a Friday afternoon.
That got me thinking – not about sex, you understand, but about provisions a school could make. According to the article:
“In particular, the vagal nerve plays a role in controlling some psychological processes. In addition, the release of the hormone oxytocin during sex might have a calming effect.”
Perhaps schools could provide rooms for ‘stress release’ for consenting couples working at a school – all in the interest of improving staff performance, you understand. These rooms could be bookable with perhaps preference being given to those who have very difficult classes or have to give a major speech later in the day. Maybe this privilege could be extended to teachers who have to face unruly parents at a Parents Evening? A quick release of oxytocin could be just what was needed!
Perhaps in today’s modern world, one way of preparing pupils for exams would be to give them a ‘sex techniques lesson’ or a ‘pick-up manual – of course this would only be for those of the ‘appropriate age’. I can just imagine it, crammer courses (no pun intended) designed to enable students to pass exams where, in addition to standard planning and note-taking classes, they also have lessons on sexual techniques. ‘Maximise your oxytocin release’ doesn’t quite have the same ring about it as ‘Improve your grades’ – but it may be more effective.
According to Dr Peter Bull, a social and political psychologist at the University of York, who is quoted in the article, there are other ways to prepare for a speech that were more likely to reduce stress.
He said: "You are probably better off thinking about what you are going to say, and preparing thoroughly, rather than having sex the previous night."
So that’s it then, back to careful note-taking and planned revision. A pity, I thought there might be a marketing niche there.
As I said at the beginning, half-term beckons and with it the chance to reduce stress.
However you choose to do it – make sure it has the rewards you seek…
Chris Sivewright
posted by Duncan Williamson @ 5:14 PM
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