Breathe in, breathe out : alleviating stress in school principals

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of controlled breathing on school principals' stress relief. The research sample consisted of six primary school principals purposefully selected on the basis of years of school principal experience and the voluntary attendance of a stress alleviation workshop. Based on an interpretive paradigm employing a mixed-methods research approach, a structured questionnaire was used to compare participants' levels of stress before and after attendance of a stress alleviation workshop that focused on controlled breathing. By means of in-depth individual interviews the manifestation of the influence of controlled breathing on participants' stress relief was investigated. Data from the structured questionnaires were analysed as frequencies and mean scores. Through qualitative content analysis data from the individual interviews were analysed as emerging categories and themes. It was found that the regular practising of controlled breathing resulted in participants' stress relief with main improvements related to revitalised energy levels, restored clarity of thinking and improved interpersonal relationships. The findings contribute to research on constructive ways of stress relief within the school environment.