Every April in the UK is Stress awareness month. In 2021, when everyone is feeling the stresses of lockdown and our uncertain futures, thinking about ways to control our stress level is critical this year. According to the Mental health Foundation, 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. So here are a few ways that you can regulate your stress.
The 30 Day Challenge
All this challenge involves is setting yourself three activities a day, one action each for your Physical, Mental and Emotional Well-being to carry out throughout the day.
Continuing this throughout the 30 days ensures that these activities become habits for you, thereby ensuring the positive long-term effects of the challenge.
To find all the details for the challenge, use this link.
Take Control
In many cases, stress comes from a feeling of a loss of control or even helplessness. To combat your stress and empower yourself, finding ways to fight this feeling is crucial.
Working out your long term and short term goals is a great way to start. Writing them down into a clear list allows you to create a clear plan around these to work towards them every day.
Next, keep a to-do list. Write out a few points each day that aids in achieving your goals. Not only does this give you a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. It also means that your tasks no longer feel overwhelming, allowing you to deal with your stress level.
For more tips to take control of your time management and priorities, check out the NHS’ tips here.
Get Enough Sleep
The impact of a positive sleep pattern ripples through the rest of our daily lives. It is the basis of our proper function and allows us to feel rested to prepare for the day.
If you have trouble getting a good night sleep, try making a new routine. Do something relaxing before bed, such as taking a bath and remove things that are stimulating. This includes phones and TV. This provides a great window of wind-down time that relaxes you before bed.
If you find you are in bed and your thoughts are whirling through your mind, try writing down those thoughts. Then set them aside and see them for what they are. You can even take this a step further by writing down three positive things or achievements from the day.
Take some time for yourself
If you keep a busy schedule with work and your other commitments a great way to reduce stress and get in tune with your mind.
When you write your daily task list, a lot about two days for self-care. This can include something for your fitness or wellbeing in general. Or, you could just spend time doing a hobby you love. You may even want to push yourself to try something that you have been putting off, like learning a new skill.
Friends & Family are key
Sometimes all you need to manage your stress is to talk to someone about it. Getting it all out in the open and off your chest helps you to understand your worries as you talk about them. Plus, friends and family often may have helpful insights into assisting with the tasks you need to complete.
Do not be afraid to ask for assistance. We all need it sometimes.
Speaking of assistance and stress, if you want to help children and young people in your community with their stress, consider supporting our ‘Someone To Talk To’ project. Through the project, we can provide mental health services for these groups to help them deal with their stresses and improve their mental wellbeing. If you want to show some love and support for the project, please mention us on your social media to get the word out about this vital project.
