Manage your stress

Some of us are better able to cope under tremendous amounts of stress, and everyone has stressors in their daily lives which we need to face and overcome. Managing this stress is crucial in maintaining a solid-state of mental health.

Stress can manifest from numerous origins and can either be acute or chronic. Acute stress is stress associated with, for example, giving a presentation in front of a large crowd or taking a test which you need to pass. These are all stressors that come and go very quickly, triggering our internal flight or fight response.

Chronic stress on the other end of the spectrum is stressors that persist for longer periods. This can result from factors such as job loss, health issues or any other life-altering event. With chronic stress, your body is constantly in a heightened state of stress which makes it extremely difficult to unwind. This constant state can negatively impact our immune system, sleep quality and mental health or focus.

Here are a few tips to try the next time you feel overwhelmed by daily stress factors. Activities such as journaling about your feelings or practising mindfulness meditation and even yoga can all have positive attributes which will benefit your mental wellbeing. Everyone handles stress in different ways so it’s best to understand and see what works for you.