Nowadays we all feel stressed for one reason or another. Stress has unfortunately become a normal part of our life and it doesn’t help that the workplace is mostly where we feel under pressure and overwhelmed. Over a long time, stress can be hard to deal with and it can be bad for our health.
The good news is that you’re not alone in this, the majority of the working population have experienced stress and work and in 2015 9.9 million work days work lost to stress in the UK! Stress is common and it’s important that you know the best ways to cope with it.
Here are our 5 top tips that can help you to stress less:
1. Keep a diary for a couple of weeks and jot down when you’re stressed and how you react to it. This way it’ll be easier to understand what causes your stress and how you can better cope with it.
2. Learn how to calm your body and mind by doing relaxation. Include activities that help you relax in your daily routine such as: focusing on your breathing, listening to music, spending more time outdoor or taking up a hobby. If you’re short on ideas, visit: mind.org.uk.
3. Watch your lifestyle. Eat healthily, drink less alcohol and stop smoking. Eating well will help you control your weight, make you feel less bloated and reduce the risk of diseases such as coronary heart disease. Smoking and drinking can be very bad for your health and won’t relieve the symptoms of stress in the long term.
4. Get active and stay active. Any physical activity is good for your body and mind as it’s a positive distraction from your worries and problems. When you’re doing sports or exercise your brain releases endorphins that help you relieve your symptoms of stress and make you feel happier and more energetic.
5. Get a massage. Often when we’re stressed, our muscles get stiff and tense, as stress can cause or aggravate physical conditions such as back pain, headaches, and high blood pressure. Massage therapy can help our body to relax and reduce our stress related pain. There are many different types of massage so it is recommended that you speak to a massage therapist first and find the best techniques for you.
Remember that stress isn’t always a bad thing. For example, when you have some important work to do, a little stress can help you stay focused and give you the right boost you need to achieve your target.
Surround yourself with positive people and always make time for your family and friends. Accept things that you can’t change and try not to worry about too many things at once.
If you feel like you aren’t coping with stress very well don’t be afraid to ask for help – visit websites such as www.babcp.co.uk and www.bps.org.uk to get more information on how to get support. Asking for help is not a sign of failure but the first step to regain control of your life and feeling healthier and happier.
By Daniela @ Fit-2-Work