We all encounter stress in our lives, and a little bit of stress can be a good thing.
But too much stress can have a damaging impact on your physical health, as well as your mental health.
You might be surprised by the number of people that stress impacts. In fact, 74 per cent of people felt they couldn’t cope with their stress, according to the Mental Health Foundation.
Stress Awareness Day, which was on 2 November, aims to educate people about the impact of stress and how to manage it.
How can you recognise stress?
You might think that stress is just a feeling. Whilst there are mental signs of stress, including worrying and feeling low or irritable, there are physical effects that you need to look out for.
When you encounter something that your body perceives to be a threat, your ‘fight or flight’ response will kick in.
As part of this, the stress hormone cortisol is released, which results in several physiological changes.
This can lead to physical signs including headaches, sweating, stomach problems, or feeling tired.
How can you cope?
The first thing you need to do is recognise what is causing your stress.
It could be an obvious cause, such as work or family issues, but there might be other factors that don’t automatically come to mind.
Having a poor diet or lack of routine can also contribute to stress.
You might be able to tackle these issues yourself. But don’t be afraid of asking for help if you need it.
Talk to your friends and family, or consult your GP if your stress levels are becoming unbearable.
Why is combating stress important?
As stated, too much stress can leave you feeling overwhelmed, and result in a general decline in your mental health.
If you have a long-term mental health condition, managing your stress levels becomes even more important.
Too much stress can worsen your symptoms, so you need to keep on top of this.
At Synergy Complex Care, we work with specialists to build a care and support plan to suit your lifestyle, which includes helping you cope with stress.
If you or one of your loved ones needs support, contact us today.