Stress is a part of life, whether we are facing minor challenges or major crises. And while we cannot always control every circumstance, we can control how we respond to them.
Learning about stress management helps spread mental health awareness and how to spot early signs of poor mental health. Read on for more tips and tricks for you to try.
The Effects of Stress
Between work, family, and other commitments, a person can easily become overwhelmed, which may lead to stress. While some stress is “good” and can be a source of motivation in certain situations, it can be debilitation once it gets too much.
High-stress levels can significantly interfere with both your professional and personal life. It can result in social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, short temper or behavioural changes, and difficulty concentrating.
Aside from these, stress can bring physical symptoms such as headaches, high blood pressure (HBP), diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, and heart problems. In the long term, it can lead to anxiety disorder, insomnia, and a weakened immune system.
Chronic stress can take a toll on your overall health. That is why it is important to practice stress first aid self-care strategies that help calm the mind and body.
6 Ways to Reduce Stress
Identify the triggers
Stress management starts by identifying the triggers that cause your reaction. Some of the common causes include heavy workloads, deadlines, going through a divorce, and being exposed to a toxic environment.
Look closely at your thoughts, feelings, behaviour, and how you respond in such circumstances to identify the true sources.
Manage your time
Prioritising your activities prevents you from feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks and deadlines. Making a timeline can help you use your time well.
Practice relaxation techniques
There are several ways to relax your mind and body, such as taking deep breaths, meditation, and yoga.
Regular exercise
Schedule time to do any physical activity such as walking, jogging, running, biking, or dancing. Regular exercise help to naturally produce stress-relieving hormones in the body. It also improves your overall physical health.
Get enough sleep
Having enough time to rest can decrease cortisol levels and restore balance in the body’s systems. One effective way to reduce cortisol levels is by supplementing with Tongkat Ali, which has been shown to have cortisol-lowering effects. Try to get at least seven to nine hours of sleep at night to avoid a rise in hormone levels and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Seek help
Whether to a close friend, a family member, a counsellor, or a support group, airing out and talking about your feelings and experiences can help. If the initial approach is not working, it may be time to seek help from a mental health professional.
A mental health professional can help you pinpoint specific events that trigger your stress response. They can also help you create an action plan to help change or manage them.
Developing a more personalised approach help reduce stress and mental health condition, leading to an improved quality of life. Once you have identified the triggers, try these coping strategies and observe what works best for you.
Effective stress management helps break the hold stress has on your life so that you can live a happier, healthier, and more productive life.
Conclusion
Knowing mental health first aid (MHFA) is a good first step to preventing complications from overwhelming feelings of stress. MHFA is the help you give to someone developing or experiencing a mental health problem, such as stress.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to stress management. What works for one person might not work for another. For this reason, it is important to have a variety of tools and skill sets that will help you manage stress.
Taking formal MHFA training will help you learn the healthy ways to cope and the right care to reduce stressful feelings and symptoms.
For more information, visit our course page or contact us at courses@firstaidpro.com.au.
