Feeling Stressed??

Yes today is National Stress Awareness Day and we've all felt stressed at some point haven't we? It may be family life, work, or sometimes we don't even know why but we can feel our hearts starting beating faster and overcome with anxiety. 

Life takes it's toll in many different ways and sometimes it's hard to know how to control stress. We may drink a bit more alcohol, our behaviour may change, become more irritable and in a lot of cases not able to control our feelings at all. That's naturally how our alarm bells ring and then it's knowing that something needs to be done, we need to eventually recognise those signs and ask for help.

Not easy though is it? Some of us carry on and on until we can't cope anymore, it's like our own defences shout out ' I have had enough, no more'.  I know I've been there like so many. Some people thrive on stress, it's the way they live their lives and without it they would be lost. It can be the kind of adrenaline rush a few of us need to get by but for others it can be debilitating.

I was watching television this morning and I watched a GP talk about how he could no longer cope with the job. After 25 years of being a GP and working 14-15 hour days it was taking a toll on family life and he realised he just wasn't able to carry on doing his job properly. I really felt for this guy as you don't realise when you go and pour out your problems to the doctor that they are having problems too. Of course they are, it's a highly stressful job with a lot of pressure. So many people are under pressure, in fact  the number of people taking time off work for stress and anxiety is hitting an all time high.

It shouldn't be just today that we tackle this problem, we should be spending more time considering stress because if it isn't dealt with it can lead to mental health problems. This is an everyday issue and one which needs to be addressed. The charity 'MIND" are asking employers to create a 'stress awareness space' in the workplace. This could be somewhere where colleagues could share feelings and get advice and tips from others about how to deal with problems and relieve stress. 

This doesn't have to just take place in the workplace it can be anywhere, reach out and ask that friend to go for a brew, express how you feel and let that stress go free. Great friends will be there and they'll listen. I know that when we hold an Autism Group parents/carers get talking to each other and feel so much better for just sharing their experiences. they may not get an immediate solution but they feel better for just knowing they are not alone and there is someone else feeling the stresses and strains that they feel. 

Please talk to someone, there are people out there who will help and be there in times of stress. 
MIND the mental health charity can be found online at www.mind.org.uk
there is so much advice there and someone available if you don't feel you can talk to anyone within your immediate circle of family or friends. 

We all have our own ways of coping with stress, mine can be a drink of tea, popping on headphones and listening to my favourite tunes. I also like a walk too, this really clears my head and settles me. Meditation is good for some and just taking time out to do break away from a situation can be enough. Hobbies are good to relax, I go to Rock Choir and sing my stresses away, we have a laugh as well which is great therapy. 

Whatever it is, find that time, find that environment that is stress free and hold onto it for a while. It's no failure to feel stressed, it's part of life don't feel bad or make yourself poorly, seek that help.

Thanks for reading today, please feel free to come back tomorrow for my Verse for Thursday.

​Till then, take care of yourselves.