Believe it or not but we’ve all got mental health. And a whopping two thirds of us have a mental health problem in our lifetimes with stress playing a key role.
So here are some tips on dealing with stress, trying to stay sane and busting stress.
I think stress is relative, what might be stressful to one person may not be to another and vice versa. For me, I am a people pleaser so I get stressed if I don’t feel like I am pleasing someone, to the point where I feel like self-harming especially if I think I’ve upset someone.
I know for me counselling has helped in the past (but not at the moment), exercise mahoosively helps me cope with stress, going for a coffee and also talking about it to someone more objective and trustworthy (like my mental health nurse or GP).
But that’s just what I try to do…
Here are what some online influencers say about how to cope with stress…
– Be realistic: “My main tip would be to keep your daily to-do list realistic with not more than 5 – 7 things on it. That way you can tick things off and celebrate your achievements, instead of getting down about all the things you haven’t managed to do.” Carolin Mader
– Meditate: “I honestly find a few minutes sat on my bed just sitting there does me so much good. I do have a few meditation apps which are great but if that’s not for you then just deep breathing for a few minutes letting your thoughts clear is just as good.” Cass Bailey
– Me-time: “Taking 15 minutes a day to actually really relax helps me.
“Sometimes I do this with meditation, or yoga, or a walk, but I often sit and enjoy a cup of coffee with some aromatherapy oils going in my diffuser or my favourite songs playing on YouTube. I didn’t think 15 minutes of truly relaxing me-time would make a difference, but it was recommended by my therapist and it really has helped keep my stress levels down.” Christy Bruckner
-CBT: “I cannot recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) enough. I had 10 sessions on the NHS due to severe anxiety and my therapist helped me overcome some of my biggest issues and feel so much better. A lot of stress stems from ‘bigger’ issues, so this could be a solution if it’s really getting on top of you.” Emma-Louise Longden
– Routine: “My main tip would be to just find a way to take time out and have a little routine that you can stick too throughout the day.” Sarah Sullivan
-Nature: “Getting out into nature is the best natural stress reliever – I also personally love watching ASMR videos on YouTube and if you read the comments you will see how much it helps people with mental health problems.” Francesca Henry
– Diet: “If you don’t put good stuff into your body it cannot function properly. Many people have cured disease and mental health issues by switching to a whole food plant based diet. It worked for me and made a big difference to everyday life!” Ben Sully
– Get Creative: “I did some colouring today having always been a bit cynical but it really gave me time out for me and also made me reflect on so many things too like focus, importance of not striving for perfection, doing it my own way, being creative and loads more too.” Kate Holmes
– SMART Goals: “Incorporate “me” time into your daily to-do list and set realistic goals. Some days even managing a shower is an achievement!”
Folakemi Sebiotimo
– Relax: “Meditation is a really great way to help relieve stress and manage anxiety. There’s a website called mindful.org which is excellent for beginners.” Becky Clark
– Mind Clearing: Meditation and mind clearing. Its hard to set aside time to sit and quietly meditate especially if you have a lot on so instead I try and practice mind clearing where I’ll take a few minutes to really focus on the coffee I’m drinking or the music I’m listening too and just fine everything else out! Sophie Gillum-Webb
– Exercise: “Exercise is my stress buster, whether it’s just a walk with the dog or a full on exercise class I have to have some kind of exercise incorporated into my week. The endorphins make you feel so much happier and more energised even when you are at your lowest.” Emma Reed
– Talk: “Going for a brisk walk to get some fresh air. Talking about it, getting it off your chest.” Carol Cameleon
– Take a break: “Know when and how to tell friends and family that you need a break – even if it’s only to do the grocery shopping alone. Don’t be afraid to ask and don’t be too proud to accept.” Hannah Fleming
-Walk: “Walk walk walk fresh air, headspace and gentle exercise are so healing and the rhythm of walking steadies you mentally I find.” Becky Goddard-Hill
“Don’t give up now! When in a positive frame of mind, try and identify your triggers (if there are any) and try to find a solution to them.”
-Recharge and identify triggers: “Take time out just for you. Do something that you enjoy. It could be to read a book, go to the gym, go for a walk in the park or even an afternoon nap! Whatever pleases you! Give yourself time to recharge. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to for help and support. Mental health issues don’t make you a ‘weak’ person, as it is sometimes portrayed. You are fierce for coming through any past mental health issues and making it to today. Don’t give up now! When in a positive frame of mind, try and identify your triggers (if there are any) and try to find a solution to them. To help you cope better if that trigger was to surface again.” Claire Rockss
-Shower: “A Hot long peaceful shower helps me de-stress. I wait until all the kids are in bed sleeping and then I know I can stay in there as long as I want. I feel like a different person afterwards and it always helps me when I’m down or stressed.”
Beth Owen
-CBT: “I did CBT, and that really, really helped me. So that is a definite recommendation. The main thing I got out of it was that you cannot second guess what other people are thinking, and that was often at the route of anxiety that I experienced. “oh they don’t like me” or “I must have really upset them.”, etc. etc. “No-one knows what is going on inside someone else’s head, so don’t worry about what you can’t control for too long. It is OK to worry a little bit, accept that worry, and them move on. Don’t dwell on it. I actually found that accepting it was OK to worry about these things, but not letting them take over a massive, massive help.
“Life isn’t black and white, there is so much grey, and that means it isn’t “oh they don’t like me” at all, in fact; that little thing I worried about – bet they never even noticed it!” Helen Neale
1 Comment. Leave new
I once heard and pass this to my kids: 1/3 of people will like you, 1/3 won’t and 1/3 neither. It really helps me at times.