April is International Stress Awareness Month — and it has been since 1992. We should all take some time to reflect on this as stress is a big part of our lives even though we might not always be aware it is.
The Mental Health Foundation, based here in the United Kingdom, has discovered that 74% of UK adults have had at least one moment in their lives when stress has made them feel overwhelmed or unable to cope with the situation they were in.
On top of the psychological effect that stress has on us, it is estimated that between 75% and 90% of all visits to doctors are related to complaints or concerns that have stress as the root cause; this means it is affecting our bodies as well.
Learning to recognise and correctly assess our stress levels is the first step in leading healthier, longer lives; the second step is learning how to keep it under control. Here are our top tips for keeping your stress levels in check.
Consume Healthy Foods & Drinks
When dealing with stress, many people will resort to alcohol or overeating to help them “calm down”. However, this will have the opposite effect, especially in the long run. Coffee is not a good idea either and should be replaced with a good night’s sleep and some herbal tea.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise has been shown to be a powerful stress reliever, in addition to having many physical health benefits. Aerobic exercise such as walking, running, or cycling will release endorphins, natural substances that help you maintain a positive attitude.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
Deep breathing, imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation are just a few of the relaxation techniques you can try when you’re experiencing stress. Yoga is another powerful tool that will help you relax and count as exercise.
Ask for Help
Everyone deals with stress, even the people that seem to always have everything under control. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to reach out to friends and family or even a therapist when you feel overwhelmed — talking about your feelings will make all the difference.
Be Organised
Giving yourself too much to do and not enough time to do it is guaranteed to make you feel stressed. And while you can’t ignore the responsibilities that come with being an adult, you can learn to manage them better.
Install the free Lifefyle app on your phone and easily keep track of your life admin to feel in control of your tasks and your stress levels.
