Navigation




► Coping with Stress

Understand More about Stress

• Recognise your major sources of stress at present, understand how stress affects you – how does it manifest itself?
• Anticipate and plan for periods of stress – find your optimal level.

Adopt a Systematic Approach

• Use a problem solving approach when dealing with stress; define the problem specifically (try to be objective).
• Break it down in to manageable components and approach these one step at a time.
• Develop and evaluate each course of action.

Recognise and Accept Your Feelings

• Express ways that you are feeling with others.
• Accept your feelings.

Develop New Effective Behavioural Skills

• Be assertive – learn to say no!
• Avoid procrastination – do it today!
• Manage your time effectively.
• Practice rational thinking.

Establish & Make Use of Your Social Network

• Ask for help and accept it when it is offered.
• Deliberately cultivate positive relationships.
• Talk to friends and family, make new networks via societies and college.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

• Take regular physical exercise.
• Maintain a healthy balanced diet.
• Deliberately seek out a change of pace and try new activities in your life.

Make Time to Relax and Enjoy Yourself

• Set aside sometime each day to do something you enjoy.
• Plan breaks, lunches, holidays etc.
• Develop your hobbies and interests.

Set Aside Time for Reflection and Personal Development

• Set aside time for reflection and meditation.
• Re-assess your values – what is really important in your life?

 

Recognising the Symptoms of Stress

Emotional
• Anxiety (nervousness, tension, phobias and depression)
• Depression (sadness, lowered self-esteem, apathy and fatigue)
• Guilt
• Shame
• Loneliness
• Moodiness

Psychological
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Difficulty in making decisions
• Frequent forgetfulness
• Increased sensitivity to criticism
• Negative and self-critical thoughts
• Distorted ideas
• More rigid attitudes

Health
• Nausea
• Headaches and migraines
• Rashes and itching
• More pronounced symptoms of Asthma, allergies, hay fever etc.
• Increased sweating
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Muscle contractions (cramps and aches)
• Pins and needles

Behavioural
• Difficulty sleeping/early wakening
• Emotional outbursts/aggression
• Excessive eating or loss of appetite
• Excessive drinking, smoking and drug use
• Accident prone
• Trembling
• Avoidance of particular situations or activities
• Lethargy
 

 

Bookmark and Share