Are you struggling to sleep, having digestive issues or feeling irritable? You may be experiencing high levels of stress. Stress can be beneficial in small amounts, but if your stress feels constant and is starting to take over your life, it’s important to look at the small habits you can incorporate that can help bring you some relief.
Understanding your stress
Looking at what might be giving you stress is a good way to start. This could be anything from work, to relationship problems, or an underlying health condition. Identifying what is causing your stress can help you work out what changes you can make to feel better. If you think you might need extra support, have an underlying health condition, or believe you would benefit from counselling, you can speak to your GP for advice.
Boost your wellbeing
Boosting your overall wellbeing by getting more exercise, eating nutritious food and making time for hobbies and connection with others is great for overall stress relief.
- Ground yourself: Focus on your senses.
- Get some fresh air: Go for a walk.
- Find connection: Spend time with a loved one or pet. You can also build connection with yourself through hobbies.
Supporting others
If you think someone you know is experiencing high levels of stress, there are ways you can be there for them:
- Listen to their thoughts without trying to fix their problems.
- Give them reassurance that you are there for them.
- Find out whether they want support or just someone to listen to them.
Getting help
If you or someone you know is finding things increasingly difficult because of stress, and is experiencing a mental health crisis, it’s important to get help:
- Call 999 if you believe you or someone else is in immediate danger
- Call 111 and choose option 2 to speak to a mental health crisis team
- Call 116 123 to speak to Samaritans
- Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258, text ‘THEMIX’ to 85258 if you are under 25, or text ‘YM’ if you are under 19.
- Call the CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) team on 0800 58 58 58