Stress Awareness Month
Stress is a state of anxiety, tension or worry that is caused by challenging circumstances.’
Stress is how our mind and body reacts to the pressure of being threatened, pressured or out of control and it is the body's response to take action when stress hormones are released.
1 in 14 UK adults feels stress every single day. According to the Mental Health Foundation and Yougov 74% of people feel stressed and overwhelmed or unable to cope.
There are many lifestyle factors that contribute to stress and that can eventually escalate to further mental health problems, whether it is work, juggling the balance in a relationship or child care.
Stress awareness month helps to break the cycle of poor mental health by raising awareness of contributing factors and management of stress to help prevent burnout and encourage open and honest conversations about stress and the solution by promoting:
Wellbeing
Our club has got a wonderful skilled and trained wellbeing team so you can take the time and talk to and express your worries in confidence and in a safe place with one of the members of the wellbeing team
Communication
Connect with someone, check in with your supporting network. Many members in our lovely club have made many friendships, so this could be a great opportunity to have an open and honest conversion as this can reduce burnout and increase a sense of belonging, and the community can help reduce feelings of loneliness.
Physical exercise and spending time in nature
Running, walking or stretching will increase and get your endorphins flowing and let off some steam, therefore running with SRC is a great opportunity to take some time out of your day to step outside and get some fresh air and spend some time in nature surrounded by your friends. Physical activities ease stress, lift mood, improves self esteem, increases cognitive function and boosts a healthy lifestyle. All this will allow and help you to improve coping with mental health challenges.
Prioritise sleep
Take small steps to improve your bedtime routine as getting enough sleep is linked with improved mental health. Set up a bedtime routine, such as reading, taking a hot shower before bedtime, and creating a clean and stress free environment. During sleep your brain processes emotional information, assess memories and thoughts, lack of sleep will contribute to the damaging of cognitive functions and will lead to anxiety, depression and can even make mood disorders much worse to cope with.
Practise mindfulness
This will allow you to focus on the here and now, mindfulness aids self awareness, helps you practise emotional regulation and control.
Breathe deep
Your breath is a powerful tool to help with stress reduction and relaxation. Start small, take deep breaths during stressful moments.
