Stress Awareness Month is run by the Stress Management Society, and is held every April. It has run since 1992, with the aim to raise awareness of it’s causes, whilst suggesting techniques to help alleviate feeling pressured.
Whilst we are all aware of stress and what it is, we may not realise the impact it can have. A 2018 survey by the Mental Health Foundation (*) found that 74% of UK adults felt so stressed (at some point over the last year) that they felt unable to cope and overwhelmed.
What is stress?
Whilst stress is not a psychiatric diagnosis, it is closely interlinked to mental health.
- It can cause mental health problems
- Mental health problems can lead to extra stressors
Signs include:
- feeling anxious
- aggression
- a sense of dread
- unable to concentrate
- feelings of depression
It can also impact our physical health too. You may experience chest pains, headaches, high blood pressure and feeling sick/dizzy.
How can we manage stress?
Mind, the mental health charity, suggest some ways you can deal with pressure and manage stress levels (**).
- Identify what triggers stress for you. This way you can anticipate problems and be prepared.
- Organisation. By organising your time, you can feel more in control and more able to handle pressure.
- Acceptance. Accepting that there are some things that you probably can’t do anything about will help you focus on what you can change that can reduce pressure.
Another option for managing stress is using the resources made by The Stress Management Society. They have information on their website, a range of tools to help combat stress and even run online workshops and events you can take part in.
Treatments for stress
If you’re experiencing lots of signs of stress and this is making it very hard for you to cope with things going on in your life, there are treatments available that could help. These include:
- Talking therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness
- Medication, such as sleeping aids prescribed by your doctor
- Ecotherapy, this can improve your wellbeing by spending time in nature
- Complementary and alternative therapies, such as meditation and aromatherapy
At The Eaves, we have counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists who can help you with stress management. If you are looking for someone to speak to, please contact the referrals team on 01483 917000 who would be happy to help source a suitable therapist for you.
References:
* https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/news/stressed-nation-74-uk-overwhelmed-or-unable-cope-some-point-past-year
** https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/what-is-stress/