Managing stress and anxiety - Rachael Musgrave

Managing stress and anxiety - Rachael Musgrave

Stress impacts us all – if you are facing too much, it can be debilitating; causing or aggravating health problems, leading to poor mental health and affecting our relationships with others.

April is Stress Awareness Month and it is a chance for us to think about the signs of stress and how to deal with them. By recognising what stress and anxiety looks and feels like we are able to manage them.

Stress in small amounts can be motivating in areas such as your work life but if you are noticing your mood changing or you feel anxious, irritable and changes in how you feel about yourself, there is a good chance you are under too much stress.

If left unmanaged, this can lead to physical, mental and emotional exhaustion along with poor physical health, with issues ranging from headaches and muscle pains to chest pains and high blood pressure. In many cases, these symptoms should stop when your stress goes.

So if you are feeling pressure at work, school or home, dealing with an illness, or difficult or sudden life events, then take time to consider how you are managing stress and think about practical self-care tips which can make a big difference.

• If you feel overwhelmed with things that need doing; try breaking a task down into easier, more manageable chunks and give yourself credit
• Regular exercise might also help you manage or reduce stress. Wigan Council’s Be Well service has a whole range of free and low-cost activities to discover - from walks, runs and cycle rides with our Active Outdoors team to fun, inclusive Back to Sport sessions such as badminton, netball and walking football
• Planning ahead can also help to relieve stress; create a to-do list, plan journeys and list things you need in advance
• Take time to think about the good things in your life. Writing down 3 things you’re thankful for everyday is a positive reminder of the things that make you feel good and happy.

We all need to take time to take care of ourselves. Easing stress can help us in almost all areas of life while also helping us deal with difficult times in the future.

You can get more tips on dealing with stress and anxiety with a free mind plan from the NHS. All you need to do is answer five quick questions (external link).

You can also use the free resources available through Living Life To The Full (external link), full of practical ways to improve feelings, help beat stress and boost the ability to live well.