How do you manage your stress?

Stress is part of all our lives, sometimes, it’s what gets us up in the morning.

“I'm stressed” is a phrase often used to describe the feeling of having too much to do, a deadline to meet, or a big life change to prepare for. It can be triggered by a busy job, the death of a loved one, money problems—or even a happy event, such as the birth of a baby. It’s something we all experience at some point, and it can make us feel irritable, tired, and unable to relax.

But when stress becomes a constant, overwhelming presence that affects how our bodies work and how we function, it’s time to take steps to manage it.

How to recognize stress?

Common signs include:

• Trouble sleeping or excessive fatigue
• Loss of appetite or overeating
• Feeling sad, irritable, or tearful
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Frequent headaches or muscle pain
• Short temper and frustration

Managing stress effectively

NHS Choices says there are many things you can do to manage stress effectively, such as:
✔️ Learning how to relax
✔️ Taking regular exercise
✔️ Adopting good time-management techniques

The Royal College of Psychiatrists recommends:
✔️ Talking to friends and family about your feelings
✔️ Breaking down problems into smaller, manageable parts
✔️ Taking care of your physical health

“Simple things like making time to eat regular meals helps avoid low sugar levels caused by skipping meals, which can affect how you feel mentally as well as physically.”

It’s also a good idea to monitor your alcohol consumption and smoking habits, as these can increase when stress kicks in.

Why exercise is important for stress relief

Experts say exercise is one of the best stress relievers because:
✅ It allows you to vent internalized emotions
✅ It produces endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel good

Keeping a stress diary and noting down triggers can also be a helpful way to track your feelings and understand what causes stress. Of course, no one method works for everyone.

Exploring your stress

If you suffer from chronic stress and don’t know where to start, asking your GP for help or seeing a counsellor is advisable.

In the workplace, counselling is a great way to understand underlying issues.

Andrew Kinder, a senior counsellor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, says he takes the time to listen to people and helps them “explore their situation and work out what is going to help solve the issue causing stress.”

“If they are ready to change and have a clear focus, it can be a quick process lasting one or two sessions, but for others, it takes a lot longer. It depends on whether they have given themselves permission to make some changes and are able to face up to it.”

Mindfulness & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

If you're looking for more structured approaches to dealing with stress, mindfulness or CBT may help.

The Mental Health Foundation, which runs an online mindfulness-based stress reduction course, encourages people to “step out of autopilot” in their daily lives.

💡 Example: “When brushing your teeth or putting on make-up in the morning, bring your attention intensely into that moment, paying attention to each brush stroke and how it feels.”

The Importance of a Positive Attitude

A study published in BMJ Open found that a 10-session online mindfulness course over four weeks “significantly decreased stress, anxiety, and depression.”

However, Andrew Kinder points out that mindfulness alone isn’t always enough:

“You also need to use problem-solving techniques and a positive mental attitude to solve the problem causing the stress, for example, a debt problem.”

CBT is another effective way of managing stress, as it helps reshape thought patterns, changing how we think and act to improve emotional well-being.

Stress in the Workplace & Everyday Life

With about 488,000 cases of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety reported in 2015-16, stress is an issue for both employers and employees across the UK.

But stress isn’t always work-related, it can also result from everyday challenges.

The key is to talk to someone about it and seek professional help if you have felt down, hopeless, or unable to enjoy anything for more than two weeks.

📌 Source: BBC Health News

Let’s talk about It!

💬 What do you do to reduce stress in your everyday life?

💬 What helps you maintain a positive attitude during difficult times?

Don't forget, sharing your ideas is what Carenity is for! 😊