Stress

Back to the stress film.

Kathy Sykes Wellbeing Guide to Stress

Stress can be caused by a range of both good and bad experiences. When we feel stressed by things going on around us, our bodies react by releasing chemicals into the bloodstream.

These chemicals give us more strength and stamina by instantly boosting our energy levels and suppressing the feeling of pain or hunger. This can be life saving where the stress is caused by actual physical danger.

But stress can also be bad for us when that chemical response is not really required. This can happen as a result of the various stresses of modern life. Situations like being stuck in a traffic jam, being late for an important meeting, or even organising a wedding can create stress. Some of the happiest moments, like having a baby or taking on a new job, can be the most stressful.

Stress affects us in the body as well as in the mind. When we feel stressed our heart rate increases and we feel tension in our muscles..

Stress can have a serious impact on our daily lives and may lead to depression and anxiety - you can find out more about these on the Headroom website.

So what's the best way to cope with stress?

There isn't any one answer, but one of the first things you should do if you suffer from stress is to look for the warning signs. These are different for different people, such as headaches, restlessness, difficulties with sleeping or being short-tempered.

There are a range of practical techniques you can use, like trying to handle one task at a time. This reduces disruptive thoughts caused by feeling overwhelmed at the same time as chipping away at what needs to be done.

Getting out of our daily routines or away from the stress in our lives - even for short periods of time - can make all the difference and can give us just enough space to see things differently. Or perhaps trying to set a little time aside to relax for making more time for a proper winding down before bed. Getting a good night's sleep is important as it is a great way of helping both the mind and body to recover after periods of stress.

It is all too easy to react to stress in unhealthy ways. We may drink, smoke or eat excessively. Trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle and diet can help enormously to relieve stress. Doing some physical activity not only helps us relieve muscles that may have tensed through stress, but it also helps our mood. Deep breathing, other relaxation and visualisation techniques introduce a sense of calm and order which can our bring stress right levels right down.

If you feel that our symptoms of stress are more severe, you may consider going to see your GP, who will help you to gain access to a stress management programme. This may include strategies based in cognitive behavioural approaches, which look at how we think about situations and can teach new skills to minimize stress.

What is important is that you find the right strategy for you and that you are patient with yourself and realistic about what you will be able to achieve.