Health Tips, Tricks & Articles

How to recognise, address and manage stress

How to recognise, manage and address stress.

Stress is your body's way of responding to any kind of demand and can be caused by both good and bad experiences. 

 

*Source City Way Health Clinic

 

In the UK Stress is becoming increasingly common due to the changes in our lifestyles and work life balance. Research suggests that:

  • 59% of British adults say their life is more stressful than it was five years ago
  • Hospital admissions for stress have risen 
  • Stress is one of the most common causes of illness and one of the main causes of sick days taken in the UK
  • Costs the economy billions each year
  • Money and work top survey results as main causes of stress in Britain
  • People three times more likely to drink alcohol to help deal with stress than would go to a GP

Whether we read about it, hear about it or are affected by it, stress is an issue we can all relate to and one that we are surrounded by as a nation.

Recognising stress
 

Recognising and addressing symptoms of stress can prevent it affecting you further or leading to illness. Examples of some of the symptoms include:

  • Cognitive Symptoms: poor concentration or judgement, memory problems, anxiety, negativity, worrying constantly,
  • Emotional Symptoms: irritability, overwhelmed, loneliness, isolation, moodiness, agitation, depression
  • Physical Symptoms: aches and pains, dizziness, frequent colds, nausea, chest pains
  • Behavioural Symptoms: increased or decreased appetite or sleep, nervous habits, isolation, using alcohol or smoking to relax,
Dealing with stress
 

The most important thing to do is try and establish the cause or the trigger point for your stress. Like most things there is no quick-fix cure for stress, and no single method will work for everyone. However here are some simple steps that you can try:

  • Physical activity
  • Take control of the cause or trigger
  • Communicate with people and talk – whether that’s with friends and family, colleagues
  • Help other people
  • Ensure you have some “Me time” including having a massage, acupuncture, time with friends
  • Address your work life balance and make changes where possible
  • Set yourself some goals and challenges e.g. new form of exercise, start a new hobby
  • Avoid unhealthy habits that mean you avoid facing the problem
  • Help other people
  • Be positive and accept the things you cannot change

Above and beyond these simple steps, help and advice can be found via a number of sources including your GP, charities, organisations and your workplace.

 

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