As we’re now half way through National Stress Awareness Month, we thought it would be a good time to pause and share some ways we can help ourselves to manage stress and protect our mental health and wellbeing.
91% of adults reported they experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress in the past year. This is a problem that affects nearly everyone and it’s important to take time to try and identify the pressure points to be able to help address them.
☁️ Just Breathe – Breathing exercises are a useful technique to help you relax. Try breathing in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 5 seconds and breathe out slowly for 8 seconds. Repeat this cycle 10 times.
☁️ Be Mindful – Be in touch with the world around you, notice what’s happening in the present. Choose an every day task that engages your senses like brushing your teeth, concentrate on how the brush feels in your hand, the sensation of brushing your teething, the smell and taste of the toothpaste, the feeling of your feet on the bathroom floor.
☁️ Sleep Well. Sleep can affect how you feel physically and mentally. Try to create a regular sleeping pattern and a restful environment for consistency and calm. If you can’t sleep, get up and do something else to help you feel sleepy.
☁️ Stress Bucket. This is a simple tool to help us think about the ways we can release stress. Image a bucket you’re carrying round that slowly fills up when you’re stressed. Sometimes you are strong enough to carry a lot of stress, but sometimes you need to find techniques that help lighten the load. Identify what helps you reduce stress, it could be anything from good time management to talking to someone you trust. Make an plan for how to keep those activities going when other pressures build up.
We all experience stress and can struggle from life’s pressures. Remember you are not alone and there are people you can speak to, to help manage those pressures.
These tips have come from www.mentalheath-uk.org/stress, please visit their website if you need more advice on managing stress.
