What’s Stress?

The term stress is the feeling of being ‘snowed under’ out of control and unable to concentrate and focus. Everyone’s different and we all have different levels we can cope with, and it is good to know what your is, if you don’t know already then establish what your manageable workload is, how many thinks can you have going on at the same time and still be relaxed for example.

Indicators:

Emotions: Being in a bad mood, Feeling upset, Angry, Impatient; Hopelessness.

Thoughts: I can't do this, I'll never finish, I can't cope; Mind racing.

Behaviour: Hurrying, Starting and not finishing jobs, Concentration loss; Shouting.

Physical: Feeling hot, Heart beating faster, Sweating, Stomach ache; Headaches.

A. Take time out

Make time in the day to care for yourself, take 15 minutes out, go for a walk, or anything that will help you to relax a little, and take your mind off of work etc.

B. Don’t beat yourself up

Be realistic in what you can achieve and remember your successes. Set your expectations in accordance with what you can realistically achieve. Not taking on too much, accepting offers of help from others are ways to prevent stress. When I have a lot to do I write lists and prioritise them in order of importance, remember you can only do one thing at a time, most of the time.

C. Try to learn to relax

Relaxation is a skill and often we lose touch with this, again make the time to achieve this. Physical exercise is great for relaxation because you shift your focus and you burn off the stress, but this is not for everyone, you may prefer to sit quietly by yourself instead, simply put find what suits you, but above all make time to relax.

D. Talk

As an old friend used to say "Let it out, get it out and move on" and the proverb -A problem shared is a problem halved, all ring true. Talking to someone you trust can change your perspective, just by simply talking things out you begin to rationalise situations, and you never know you may get some great advice, whilst forging good relationships.