As an educator, you’re pulled in many different directions – handling concerned parents, taking care of students, managing mounting paperwork, meeting deadlines, not to mention all the demands at home you have to deal with. All of these things can add up to a heap of stress and may make you feel burned out. While a little stress isn’t always a bad thing, too much stress can be unhealthy if not managed properly, leading to a variety of physiological and psychological symptoms, such as headaches, frequent colds, heartburn, insomnia, anger and depression.

So what can you do to keep your stress levels in check? First, understand that everyone perceives stress differently, so there is no one-size-fits-all method to relieving stress. It’s important to try different methods, and combinations of methods, to figure out what’s right for you. And if you have trouble handling stress on your own, or if your physical or psychological symptoms become too severe, it is important that you seek professional help.

Here are a few things you can try to help remove a little bit of stress from your life.

Figure out the root of the problem. Determining exactly what is causing your stress is the first step in trying to manage it. Make a list of things that are stressing you out, both in your professional life and your personal life. Try to figure out what could be considered “good stress,” which can give you an adrenaline rush that motivates you to get things done, and the “bad stress,” which can physically and mentally drain you. Once you know the difference between good and bad stress for you personally, you can start to devise a plan to eliminate the bad stuff.

Take a deep breath. You’re more likely to make snap, and possibly wrong, decisions when you’re stressed. By taking a second to close your eyes and take a deep breath when you feel the stress mounting, you’ll be more relaxed and better able to handle the situation.

Take time for yourself. Try to set aside a little time for yourself each day. That can be a challenge during the work day, but it’s vital to maintaining your stress level. If possible, try to eat lunch away from your desk or classroom. Go for a walk, read a book, listen to some music – whatever makes you happy. When you don’t have class or an appointment with a student or parent, you might even want to try closing your door, turning off the lights and pretending you’re not even there.

Get some exercise. Physical activity releases natural endorphins that can boost your mood and help the stress melt away. Whether you’re just taking a few laps around the school grounds or doing a full workout before or after school, do your best to fit a little exercise into your routine.

Get organized. Cleaning may not be your idea of a good time, but getting organized can really help to cut bad stress out of your life. Think about how much time you probably spend looking for things every day. Wouldn’t it be great to have that time to spend getting things accomplished? Take some time to organize your desk, your inbox, your filing system, your calendar. Shred documents you don’t need to keep and throw away unnecessary items cluttering your office or classroom. Having everything in its place will cut down the amount of time you spend searching for things and can give you real peace of mind.

Don’t procrastinate! You tell your students not to wait until the last minute to study for a test, finish an assignment or turn in a college application. How about following your own advice? It’s the easiest thing in the world to just say, “I don’t have time for that right now” or “I’ll get to that tomorrow.” Take some time to look at your task list and prioritize – figure out which things are most important and which will require the most time to complete and get a jump start on those.

Participate in a stress-management workshop. If you’re someone who enjoys working in teams and participating in group activities, a stress-management workshop may be a great solution for you. Check with your school’s administration to see if stress-management workshops are offered on your campus or in your district and if not, find out what it would take to organize one. Many communities also offer stress-management workshops through community centers, health clinics or other organizations.