What is stress you may ask?

Stress is the feeling of being under too much pressure – mentally or emotionally. When you are stressed, your body releases stress related hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Stress is your body’s reaction to help you deal with pressure. This is sometimes called a fight or flight response. Your stress hormone levels usually return to normal once the pressure has passed. A small amount of stress can be useful because it can motivate you to take action and get tasks completed. It can also make you feel alive and excited. But too much stress can cause have adverse negative effects such as a change in your mood, your body and relationship issues.

What we can do to reduce stress –

• Prioritise yourself – No matter how much is on the to do list, it will still be there tomorrow. Sometimes you just need to step away and re-charge.
• Talk to someone – This could be a friend, colleague or a jm Mental Health First Aider.
• Plan your time – write to do lists that are manageable, prioritise tasks and share the load with your team where possible and set yourself manageable tasks.
• Make lifestyle changes – this could be more regular exercise, practicing relaxation techniques, starting a new hobby, eating a more balanced diet, do one nice thing a day for yourself or working on your sleep pattern.
• Get practical advice – money management tips and support, approach your GP or ask the mental health first aiders for signposting support.

If you are struggling with stress factors within your personal life or at work, take a look at the following links.

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/

https://www.rethink.org/

https://www.samaritans.org/

https://mentalhealth-uk.org/help-and-information/health-and-wellbeing/

https://www.sane.org.uk/

“Millions around the UK experience stress and it is damaging to our health and wellbeing. For example, at some point in the last year, 74% of us have felt so stressed that we have felt unable to cope.”

                 – Mental Health Foundation