This week is International Stress Awareness Week (2-6 Nov 2020). To help you manage your stress and hopefully alleviate it, we asked some of our colleagues and service users to share some helpful hints and tips!
“I put on my favourite old-school dance tunes, and dance around the house with a tea towel wrapped around my head – Or I cry with anger/frustration!”
“I find gardening and having some tranquil time at the allotment helps me.”
“I think of this quote when I’m feeling stressed, it focusses me on the solution and not the problem: ‘If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be much better to turn your attention to the fact that there’s an arrow in your heart…’ ― Pema Chödrön”
“When you are feeling overwhelmed by the emails / jobs coming in, step away from the computer! Walk away and take 5”
“To alleviate/manage stress I create a to do list and work in priority order. I’ll take a break or go for a walk or I’ll work on something else for a while. I always find that speaking to others for advice or to vent helps but so does having a cheeky chocolate or 2 😉”
“To ensure I manage my stress I stick to a regular sleep time and pattern, I don’t have a busy night-time routine. I also like to exercise and eat healthy. A work life balance is very important but so is talking to people.”
“I manage stress by putting things into perspective and I try not to ‘sweat the small stuff’. I also like to go out for a walk with my dog Derek. I know working from home can be isolating so I make time for catch up calls and video meetings too! I love music and having the radio on in the background. I think music can be so uplifting and a real mood booster. Finally, I smile – even when I don’t feel like it. It tricks your brain, making you want to smile for real!”
Most importantly, if you’re feeling stressed or struggling, reach out and speak to someone.
If you’d like more information, or need to speak to someone, Mind have some excellent resources about stress and some useful contacts: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/what-is-stress/