Air traffic control, surgery, and teaching are probably three of the most potentially stressful occupations in the world. Stress can be benign and growth-producing or malignant and destructive, depending on three primary factors: 1) the possession of coping behaviors which are effective and for which there is feedback as to the degree of their effectiveness, 2) the predictability of the stressful situation, and 3) the duration or repetition of the stressful circumstances. There are two categories of stress escape devices that serve as effective "counter irritants" to teaching. One group of counter irritants consists of activities that make demands or stimulate creative endeavor in a completely different field. A second group of counter irritants consists of activities that require only participation. An effective prescription for a balanced program of counter irritants to teaching should include systematic exploration of both demanding and relaxing activities in physical, social, intellectual, and emotional areas. (Author/JG)