How to combat stress when I’m stressed?
“It’s not stress that kills us, it’s our reaction to it.” ~ Hans Selye
What is stress?
Let’s break down the word itself. “Stress” derives from the Latin words “Strictus” and “Stringere.” Strictus means tightened, compressed and Stringere means to tighten, to squeeze. So stress can be defined as our body’s reaction when feeling restricted, threatened and under pressure.
Interestingly enough, stress is not always the easiest thing to identify. Many people go weeks, months and years coping and trying to manage the symptoms of stress without outright knowing that they are stressed. Stress is something that yes affects our emotions and our mindset but it also affects our bodies and the way that we behave.
How stress can affect our bodies:
How stress can make you behave:
- Indecisiveness.
- Easily distracted.
- Forgetful, absentminded.
- Constantly worry, having feelings of dread.
- Irritable, snapping at people.
- Exhibiting signs of anxiety and impatience such as biting nails and picking or itching your skin.
- Clenching jaw and grinding teeth.
- Lost interest in sex, experiencing sexual problems.
- Poor nutrition, overeating or undereating.
- Consuming drugs or alcohol.
- Uneasy and restless.
- More emotional than usual, in tears.
- Constant shopping.
- Over-exercising or under-exercising.
- Withdraw from your social circle.
What can trigger stress?
- Feeling heavy due to being under a lot of pressure.
- Big changes to your life.
- Feeling worried about something
- Loss of control over a situation in your life.
- Overwhelming responsibilities.
- Don’t have enough work, activities or change in your life.
- Experience discrimination, hate or abuse.
- Experiencing a period of uncertainty and confusion.
This information was sourced from: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/signs-and-symptoms-of-stress/
What can you do to manage stress?
Evidence suggests that long-term stress can rewire a person’s brain. It is therefore imperative that we become knowledgeable on how to manage stress. The NHS offers 10 suggestions to address stress:
- Exercise.
- Take control.
- Connect with people.
- Self-care.
- Challenge yourself.
- Avoid unhealthy habits.
- Help other people.
- Work smarter, not harder.
- Be positive.
- Accept the things you cannot change.
This information was sourced from the NHS website, for more guidance and tips from the NHS please click here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/tips-to-reduce-stress/
Useful resources for stress management
- Please find the NHS list of mental health helplines here.
- Every mind matters – information on stress, and well-being while staying at home.
- Mind – provides practical tips on taking care of one’s mental health and useful information on relaxation.
- Good thinking – promotes proactive self-care. There is a range of tools to help your mental health.
- Mental Health Foundation has some useful advice on looking after your mental health and well-being when staying at home.
- Co-create – anxiety and creative response participatory sessions.
What can LLC do for you to manage your stress?
LLC has developed a well-being Academy, this means that our staff have been trained to proactively seek to support any wider barriers you may have to be successful on your programme with us. At LLC we ensure that wherever possible we work in partnership with you to put your well-being at the heart of your journey at LLC.
If you are struggling to manage your stress and have no idea what to do please contact NHS 111.
We do also have our Gateway to Wellbeing Course which is a great tool to look at your mental health and well-being. You can find the course here.
Please see below for information on LLC’s Safeguarding Officers:
