stress

For life to be enjoyable we all need challenges that we feel we can cope with. Sometimes however, we are faced with challenges that we feel we cannot cope with and it is then that we may experience stress.

Showing signs of stress does not mean you are a weak individual who cannot cope! Modern life can be pressured, both at work and at home. Many things affect the way we feel and can be stressful.

Some of the most common signs of stress are:

It is very important to take positive action when faced with stress as, if experienced over a period of time, it can seriously impair your mental and physical health.

The following proven coping strategies can really start to help you reduce the effects of any stress in your life:

• Be aware of your own warning signs – maybe this could be a sudden feeling of anxiety, extreme tiredness, feeling very tearful, catching every cough and cold – feeling run down.
• Review what is really causing stress for you? You could be surprised! Think about what action you could perhaps take to change things. How much of your stress is caused by you? Are your expectations of yourself and others realistic?
• Try and eat a balanced diet.
• Eat complex carbohydrates (such as wholemeal bread, jacket potatoes etc) rather than refined (that packet of sugary biscuits!)
• Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and keep sugar and salt intake to a minimum. This can help to support your immune system and will stop you becoming run down.
• Drink plenty of water; it will help you rehydrate your body, and only drink alcohol in moderation.
• Try and keep caffeine consumption to the minimum.
• Try not to turn to nicotine, alcohol, junk food or any self prescribed drugs; it will only make you feel worse.
• Take time for relaxation every day. Do something you enjoy and that fits into your life: for example reading, listening to music, doing yoga or meditating, enjoying a warm bath with perhaps some aromatherapy oils added to it.  It does not have to take long, but it is a vital part of life.
• Make sure exercise is part of your life.
• Do you often find yourself saying "yes" when in fact you mean "no"? If you find you are always late for appointments or get frustrated that you don’t have enough time to do tasks, then maybe you are packing too much into your day!
• Consider attending a stress management training course. You do not have to be stressed to attend one of these. It is far better to know fully what to do prior to experiencing stress than waiting for it to happen!

There are times when we all need the help and confidential support of other people. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Your line manager, GP, Union or other employee support and EAP Services (Tel: 0800 327 669), can all help you.

Last updated: 22 Janaury 2010