Stress

As April is Stress Awareness Month, this CHOOSEDAY is all about stress.

I’m obviously not choosing stress, but I am choosing to highlight the issues surrounding stress…

Stress is one of the biggest contributors to poor mental and physical health. As a society we continue to separate the two issues, but we should not! Having had personal experience of stress I can say physical and mental health are very much connected. Stress is almost like a secret assassin. It creeps up on you without you realising and all of a sudden you’re completely overwhelmed. It can lead to numerous health problems. From physical problems, like heart disease, insomnia, digestive issues, immune system challenges, etc to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

So what does stress look like?

We can be irritable, angry, impatient or wound up. Over-burdened or overwhelmed. Anxious, nervous or afraid. Like your thoughts are racing and you can't switch off. Unable to enjoy yourself. Depressed. Uninterested in life. Like you've lost your sense of humour. Fatigued…

Although all of those things may seem unmanageable but, as we know deep down, all things are if we take it step by step!! So how do we do it? Top tips include: -

1. Take a step back! Nothing is quite so bad when you are looking in.

2. Breathe… When you really breathe it is amazing how relaxing it can be!

3. Take a break.

4. Take time for gentle exercise

5. Connect with nature

6. Try to stay away from unhealthy habits

7. Change your perspective by turning negative into positive

8. Connect with others. Your tribe will support you

9. Focus on the things you can control and try not to worry about the things you can’t

10. Don’t try to do all of the above all at once!!! One step at a time 🐉💚

If you are struggling with stress, please reach out to someone, even me if you like! Or you can visit https://www.stress.org.uk/ to get online advice

#littlebylittle #stressawarenessmonth