Stress Discrimination
If only there were such a thing as Stress Discrimination. Stress affects us all, each and every one of us, pretty much everyday! If only it discriminated- because then it would be a much easier fix! A recent survey carried out across the UK revealed that 85% of citizens experience stress on a frequent basis, and a further 39% feel they are too stressed for their day-to-day lives!
Predictably, the most common causes of stress are caused by money, work, and health. It’s not to say that money worries, work worries or even health worries are not a great cause for concern- undoubtedly they are. The problem, however, lies with the fact that there seems to be a stress epidemic! For whatever reasons, people are now facing unprecedented levels of stress.
Each year an increasing number of days are lost to stress related illnesses, with Brexit on the horizon and economic uncertainty rife, this is the time to educate yourself about how best to reduce stress, develop coping mechanisms, and take care of your mental health! Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed as a result of stress, so here are my most simple yet effective tips that I share with them:
Tip Number One: Exercise
Exercise won’t make your stress disappear, but it will reduce some of the emotional intensity that you’re feeling by clearing your thoughts and letting you deal with your problems more calmly. It helps to put some distance between your thoughts and your external situation, which in turn reduces stress.
Tip Number Two: Reach out to family or friends
When we are stressed, it’s natural for us to turn in on ourselves and to pull ourselves away from others. Resilience comes from our connection with others, you don’t need to discuss all your worries if you don’t want to but we can’t do it all on our own and it’s important that we know when to ask for help. If it’s something you’re not used to doing, then
Tip Number Three: Avoid unhealthy habits
As obvious as it sounds, it’s an easy point to forget. Coming home from a stressful day to a large glass is fine… once in a while. When these sort of activities become habit, it’s time to ask yourself whether your just burying your head in the sand. Drinking and smoking might numb the stress in the short-term, but in the long-term they are only going to prolong the issue and use prevent you working towards a solution to the problem- a solution to the stress.
Tip Number Four: Work smarter, not harder
Regardless of your job or industry, there aren’t always enough hours in the day to get everything done. As a result, you constantly feel like you’re behind and that’s not good for your productivity or your health. To work smarter, rather than harder: prioritise your tasks; accept that you might not be able to do it all in one day; spend time doing the tasks you do well, and outsource the rest!
Tip Number Five: Look after you
As a business owner, and a very busy and stressed out one at that, you might not feel as though you are deserving of a break- your to-do list is still a mile long! This isn’t the case, make sure you take at least 20 minutes everyday to do something you actively enjoy (that is non-business related!). You are your businesses most valuable asset, without you there is nothing. Also, aside from business, mental health is massively important so make sure you’re doing what you can do look after yourself! If only there were such a thing as Stress Discrimination. Stress affects us all, each and every one of us, pretty much everyday! If only it discriminated – because then it would be a much easier fix!