Stress management

• Pd
• Special Education

• Have you ever felt stressed?
• How do you deal with your stress?

A few facts for thought

• An extensive mental health study into the impact of stress shows that one in three people felt suicidal and one in six people self-harmed.
  
• Three in four Britons felt overwhelmed by stress, a survey reveals.
  
• "Currently, half of adults in the UK state say they would feel uncomfortable discussing mental health - a mindset that in many cases can actually lead to greater suffering and isolation for those in need who become even more reluctant to speak to anyone." 

https://www.bemindfulonline.com/test-your-stress

What are some of the symptoms of stress?

www.bbc.co.uk

What are some effects caused by stress?

Let's explore this as a group. 

Short term effects - on the body and in general.

Long term effects - on the body and in general.

How can you reduce stress?

Recognising stress

1.  Learn to recognise the signs that you are becoming stressed - It is a good idea to learn to recognise the signs that you are becoming stressed, so that you can take action early on.
2.  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.

Avoiding stress

1. Look after yourself physically - Exercise, good balanced diet, getting enough sleep.
2. Manage your time.
3. Learn to say 'no'.
4. Be more realistic about your capabilities.
5. Make time for fun and relaxation.
6. Develop techniques that will help you to feel in control
7. Rest if you are ill.  

Reducing stress

1.  Focus on just two - three stressors at a time
2. Build strong positive relationships with people who make you feel good - and avoid those who don't. 
3. Talk to someone
4. Step up your avoidance of caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.
5. Try relaxation techniques

Living with stress

Embrace the adrenaline and treat it as a positive. 

Fortunately, there is evidence that some level of stress is actually helpful, and can improve performance—provided you believe that this is the case.

Elite athletes, for example, often believe that adrenaline, one of the main stress hormones, is helpful in improving performance. It is, after all, the ‘flight or fight’ hormone, so you can harness it to help you to ‘fight’.