April is Stress Awareness Month: Navigating & Understanding Stress.
April marks Stress Awareness Month which has been held every April since 1992, helping to raise awareness of the impact of stress on our lives. By exploring small daily consistent positive strategies to help manage stress effectively you can improve your mental health and wellbeing.
A little stress gets us out of bed in the morning functioning, although in today’s modern fast-paced world, stress has become a major issue affecting everyone of all ages and backgrounds. Some wear it as a badge of honour “I’m so busy or I’m so stressed” whilst others quietly plough on regardless making themselves ill in the process. From work pressures to personal challenges, the personal impact of stress can differ greatly and shouldn’t be underestimated, however its consequences are still the same especially longer term.
The Impact of Stress:
Stress is more than just a feeling of being overwhelmed; it can have significant implications for your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. When left unchecked, chronic stress can contribute to a whole host of health problems, including cardiovascular issues, weakened immune function, and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
In the workplace, stress can lead to decreased productivity, strained relationships, and burnout. It’s not uncommon for individuals to experience heightened levels of stress due to deadlines, workload demands, or juggling childcare with caring for elderly parents. In recent years in part due to the Pandemic, technology has also blurred boundaries between work and personal life, making it even more challenging to disconnect, switch off and unwind.
The Importance of Stress Awareness:
Stress Awareness Month serves as a wonderful reminder to prioritise your self-care and mental health. By raising awareness about the prevalence and impact of stress, we can begin to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encourage open conversations around strategies to help manage stress.
Recognising your signs of stress is one of the first step towards proactive intervention, and I am a firm believer in us all being able to identify when we feel excessively stressed – you know your own “norm”. Common symptoms to name a few include irritability, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, making mistakes, disinterest and withdrawal, or a change in appetite. By paying attention to these signals, you can take proactive steps to address your stress levels before they escalate further.
Strategies for Stress Management:
Fortunately, there are various techniques and coping mechanisms which can help you manage stress in your everyday life. By focusing on small manageable adjustments, which can seem little on their own, they soon add up in having a profound impact. They may include:
1. The power of connection: Identify and check in with your support network. Are you ok? Are they ok? Having a sense of belonging with your tribe or community can help enhance feelings of togetherness and reduce feelings of loneliness.
2. Prioritise your sleep: What small steps can you take to improve your bedtime routine? Avoid caffeine after 12.00 noon as it can take up to 10 hrs to filter through your system. Start to wind down at least an hour before bed, turn off your electronic devices and leave them outside your bedroom if possible (yes I know!). What do you need to create a calm and restful sleeping environment? If you are in the throws’ of Peri-Menopause or Menopause that could include a fan, cooler specific nightwear and bedding, or separate single tog quilts in a larger duvet cover.
3. Mindfulness or Meditation: Practicing mindfulness or meditation can help you focus on being present in the moment right here and now without dwelling on the past or ruminating about the future, reducing the impact of stress on your wellbeing. You don’t have to sit on the floor cross legged chanting “Om”, even taking 5 to 10 minutes can help. You can identify your own comfy place or even lay down, the intention is not to stop all thoughts entering your mind but to let them float across your mind like clouds in the sky without attaching any meaning or emotion to them. If it helps, find a relaxing piece of instrumental music to listen too.
4. Move your body your way: Engaging in regular physical activity is an effective way to alleviate stress boosting your mood with feel good endorphins. Whether it’s going for a walk in nature, practicing yoga, gardening or going to the gym, identifying activities that bring you joy and relaxation can significantly help reduce your stress levels. Factor that time in your diary and make it non-negotiable.
5. Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a balanced diet, getting an adequate amount of sleep, and avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption can all contribute to better stress management. Your favourite tipple may help you drift off initially but isn’t conducive to well rested sleep with optimum REM benefits.
6. Deep Breathing: Your breath can really help with reducing stress, aiding relaxation, resetting your parasympathetic nervous system. All too often we take short, shallow chest breaths which can increase our feelings of stress and anxiety, so every hour if you can take a few moments to focus on taking several slow long deep belly breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Whilst doing so, remember to drop your shoulders down away from your ears which seems to be a particular problem of mine! This simple task is something you can do sat at your desk or whilst making a cup of tea, if you’re sat down for several hours a day take a look at Chair Yoga for some simple stretching exercises.
7. Setting Boundaries: Learning to say no and establishing boundaries in both your professional and personal settings is essential for protecting your mental health and wellbeing. This may feel awkward or difficult to begin with so practice and consistency is key.
8. Seeking Support: Whether it’s through talking to a trusted friend or seeking professional support, reaching out for help can provide you with a listening ear, alternative perspective, additional coping strategies, or medication if you feel this is a route you wish to explore.
Clinical Hypnotherapy:
Now as we know not all stress can be alleviated with deep breathing and relaxation, so with that in mind Clinical Hypnotherapy is an amazing therapeutic solution focused modality with its foundations based within Neuroscience, which utilises hypnosis to bring about a deeply relaxed state of heightened awareness during which time we can rewire your neural pathways towards better ways of coping.
Let’s think of your brain like an old computer for a moment which is currently running outdated data round and round in a loop, the first sign of stress and your neurons fire along those well-worn data routes lighting up your stress responses. By utilising Clinical Hypnotherapy we can install a new updated “data package” with your own malleable neuroplasticity showing your brain new ways of coping and being in a calm, confident, reassured manner, thus allowing you to gain greater control over your thoughts and behaviours leading a happier less stressed life.
Building Confidence and Empowerment:
Clinical Hypnotherapy also empowers you to take control of your emotions and responses in any area of your life. As a certified accredited and insured therapist, through positive reinforcement during hypnosis, I can support you to build confidence and self-belief in your ability to cope calmly without excessive anxiety. This sense of empowerment and achievement often extends beyond the therapy room, equipping you with valuable tools and techniques to overcome challenges in your everyday life.
This sounds great, so what do I do next?
I currently offer a FREE online confidential 45- minute initial consultation during which I’ll obtain sufficient information enabling me to understand what’s happening for you now, how it impacts your life, and what outcomes you would like to achieve. There is also time for you to ask any questions you may have. At the conclusion of your initial consultation, I’ll provide a FREE copy of my relaxation audio for you to listen to daily which will help you relax and support the process. Afterwards I’ll formulate your bespoke treatment plan covering 6 sessions allowing you time to fully reap the positive changes and benefits of your sessions.
Once I’ve supported you with reducing your stress levels, aiding relaxation and boosting your confidence, you may decide to undertake my bespoke 1:2:1 Coaching programme helping you to address your work life goals or work life balance, assessing and identifying what your ideal life looks like so you can move forward implementing your aspirations.
Available Appointments:
Appointments are available Monday to Friday 10am – 8pm, either online or in person at Ironstone Wellbeing Centre, Ironstone Place, Kettering, NN14 1FN. Whichever you choose depends entirely upon your personal preference and individual circumstances. There are a number of testimonials available for you to view on my website should you wish. To arrange your FREE initial consultation, please get in touch to secure your preferred date and timeslot.
Conclusion:
As you observe Stress Awareness Month this April, let’s commit to prioritising your mental health and wellbeing. By acknowledging the impact of stress and implementing effective coping strategies, you can reduce your stress levels, cultivate resilience and lead a happier, healthier life. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help and prioritise your self-care, on a plane we’re told to deploy our own oxygen mask first because without it we are of no assistance to others. Taking care of ourselves is not selfish and is the first step towards building a healthy, happier, more balanced and fulfilling life.
Wishing you all a relaxing April,
Much love,
Jane x
Jane Lyall – DSFH, AfSFH (Reg), CNHC (Reg, NCH (Reg)
Clinical Hypnotherapist & Psychotherapist, Life Coach.
Tel: 07547 935519
Email: jane@silvercloudhypnotherapy.co.uk
Website: WWW.SilverCloudHypnotherapy.Co.Uk
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