Hi John,
I have found that my peers and I support each other and that helps me with stress, espcially when we are going full-bore in a term, with exams, grading, administration expectations, etc. This is more than just a "gripe session." We take time out to support each other and talk about ways to deal with situations, classroom management, and difficult students, etc. Several of the faculty members in our department are very experienced and are good at listening or sharing advice to assist with an issue.
Taking time away from campus is also critical. Sometimes I need to get away and "take a deep breath." I do this occasionally with my peers, as a group for lunch or after hours. Also, I make time away from campus for myself, for example, on a Saturday, I put aside grading, lesson plans, emails, etc. and spend time quietly doing something I enjoy, without interruption. I need balance; it cannot be about work, students, my administration, all of the time!
