Top tips for stress-awareness month

Stress can affect the way we think, the way we feel and the way we behave. It can also exacerbate existing mental health problems too. Recognising the signs and symptoms of stress will help you figure out ways of coping and save you from adopting unhealthy coping methods. Stress Awareness Month is a great reminder that stress affects us all, and we can all learn how to better deal with it.

Here are our top tips to help deal with stress

Identify your personal ‘stress triggers’

We all have particular situations or people that make us more stressed. Some of these are easily identifiable and may be avoidable. However, sometimes stress may build up over time, and result from a pattern of incidents or events, rather than a single trigger.

It may be helpful to use a tool like the Every Mind Matters stresses quiz or maybe keep a stress diary for a few weeks to help you identify what makes you stressed.

This will make it easier to take action to address your stress levels.

Look after your body

Our physical health has a big impact on how we feel.  At times like these, it can be easy to fall into unhealthy patterns of behaviour that end up making you feel worse.  Try to eat healthy, well balanced meals, drink enough water and exercise regularly. Avoid smoking or drugs and try not to drink too much alcohol.

Keep your mind active

Try to focus on your favourite hobby; If not, picking something new to learn at home might help. Read; write, play games, do crosswords, complete sudoku puzzles, finish jigsaws, or try drawing and painting.

Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to ask someone to help you out, or let your manager know you are overwhelmed.

When stress levels are at an all-time high, it can sometimes feel impossible to get through a day. There is no shame in asking for help, whether it is from a colleague or manager. Knowing when stress has become unmanageable is the first step towards bettering yourself.

There are a number of support services and resources available on the Health and wellbeing support page on AskHUE. One of which is the Employee Assistance Programme, provided by our HR and ODL team.

If you’re in need of a friendly ear, you could reach out to one of our Mental Health First Aiders who are here to listen. You can also contact EPUT’s Here for you 24/7 support service for healthcare workers across Herts and Essex.