The last few months have been challenging for everyone as we have found different ways of managing our lives, our relationships and our work. Whilst there are many who have enjoyed a less stressful time whilst spending time with the family or rediscovering lost interests having found more time without the daily commute, it has not been the same for everyone. Many have found it a difficult time of uncertainty and change.

Experts are concerned about the increase in mental health problems arising from the challenges of the pandemic, lockdown, social distancing and the adaptation to the new normal. Stress levels are on the increase as some dread the return to routine and others fear the loss of their new ways of living as we do return to a different kind of normal.

Understanding stress, the triggers and ways to minimise it can help us to become more emotionally intelligent and better able to cope with the complexities of living in 2020.

Understanding stress

Stress has been described as "the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them" (Health and Safety Executive) and affects nearly everyone at different times and in different ways. Often a result of change, or the fear of change, stress impacts on life, work, relationships and health. Nearly ten million working days are lost every year due to stress and around 20% of employees find their work stressful.

In the working environment, stress causes demotivation and disengagement leading to reduced productivity, mistakes, decreased team synergy and poor working relationships. However when managed appropriately, stress can be beneficial and helps to provide us with the incentive to act.

Whilst there are different sources of stress for different people and these include financial problems, relationship issues, poor health and work concerns, many find the current environment stressful and difficult.

*

Stress has been described as "the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them" (Health and Safety Executive)

*

There are different types of stress and these include:

• Situational – incidents that occur quickly, are usually one-off and may cause immediate stress which is often disproportionate to the incident itself. An example of this is road rage.

• Long-term – builds up over time, includes an accumulation of worries or triggers and is generally more harmful for the individual. An example of this is poor working practices

• Positive stress – motivates us to achieve goals, pursue ambitions and to work harder so long as it is maintained at an appropriate level. An example could be a deadline which will motivate someone to complete

• Negative stress – this is a different type of stress which is caused by a lack of challenge, insufficient activity and apathy resulting in boredom. An example could be too little workload to fill the time available

We need to balance our stress to be at our peak level for achievement and personal satisfaction. Too little stress results in boredom and ‘rust out’. Too much stress leads to panic and ‘burn out’.

Excessive stress is damaging to the health leading to ‘burn-out’ when someone is physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted to the point where they can no longer think and act rationally. On the other hand, ‘rust-out’ refers to someone who has little challenge and develops apathetic habits, lethargy and boredom to the point where if asked to do someone, they panic and cannot cope. Both are harmful to the physical and emotional health.

The symptoms of stress will vary again for individuals and include headaches, tiredness, heart palpitations, sickness, changes to diet, excessive drinking or smoking, worrying about past, present and future, over-thinking problems, emotional outbursts, increased sensitivity and decreased immunity. Understanding when you are feeling stressed, identifying the triggers and developing strategies help you to channel stress for positivity.

*

Top Twelve Tips for Managing Stress

1. Eat healthily

2. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water

3. Take regular exercise – a brisk walk when you’re feeling particularly stressed can help you feel better

4. Appropriate amount of sleep and positive sleep hygiene

5. Identify and understand triggers of stress for you

6. Talk to other people

7. Become more self-aware

8. Focus on what you can control rather than what you can’t control

9. Stop worrying about the ‘small’ stuff

10. Keep things in perspective

11. Managing your time effectively so you can balance the different demand on your time

12. Use techniques like mindfulness, yoga, Pilates or meditation

To learn more about stress management, consider taking a short course - https://www.findcourses.co.uk/training/praeceptor-consulting/workload-and-stress-management-14292605