National Stress Awareness Day takes place this November 7th, aiming to promote wellbeing and raise awareness of stress. Dealing with everyday stress can be difficult; it can come in many forms. Whether it’s work or a relationship with a partner or family member, there are plenty of situations that can lead us to feel overwhelmed.
While sometimes we all face the pressures of life, continual stress can lead to mental health issues. You may also find that you start to experience physical stress symptoms such as stomach pains. With that in mind, here are our tips on beating everyday stress…
Self-Care
Self-care is an important part of ensuring wellbeing, and can take many forms. For some people, it’s making time to cook fresh meals, for others it may be the ritual of a nightly candle lit bath. Self-care includes doing things that may improve your mental health. This could be socialising or venturing outside for fresh air.
If you regularly feel overwhelmed in certain situations, noticing this and writing down when it happens can help you make sense of any patterns.
De-cluttering can also help to relieve stress. If you have a lot of clutter and don’t know where to start, ask a friend to help or tackle things one area at a time. De-cluttering can also help to prevent falls in the home.
Listen to your body
You may find you have physical signs of everyday stress. If you notice yourself feeling tired or you haven’t eaten much of nutritional value, consider how you can change this. A nap in the day could help, as could getting in to a night-time routine.
Be kind to yourself
Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you feel frustrated you haven’t managed to complete a task, focus on what you have done instead. You won’t always get things right or feel on top of everything, and that’s OK.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, chances are you’ll benefit from taking a break. Even if you lead a busy lifestyle, taking an hour to have a cup of tea or phone a friend can help.
Everyday Stress and worrying
If you worry about certain aspects of daily life, talking about or writing them down can help. If you find worrying keeps you awake at night, jot your thoughts down. Designate yourself a specific time that you’re allowed to think about them the next day.
If your stress is related to everyday tasks, you may want to consider lifeline support to help you. Dependent on the device, telecare can offer reminders or connect you to someone in an emergency. Knowing help is close at hand can stop you worrying ‘what if.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of bringing yourself back to the present moment. When stressed, our minds can begin to wander, causing anxiety about what might happen. During stressful situations, it can be helpful to concentrate on the present moment. Notice all the things around you – how they smell, look and feel. If you think you’ll struggle to remember to do this, set aside a specific time each day.
To find out more about how telecare support can aid wellbeing and reduce stress, please contact us.