“Believe you can do it, have hope and optimism and actively do it.”
These are the thoughts of South Eastern Trust’s Health Development Specialist in Alcohol, Drugs and Behavioural Change, Ed Sipler as April marks Stress Awareness Month.
Stress Awareness Month is a pivotal time to shine a light on stress, its causes, symptoms and the best practices in trying to manage it.
There are several signs and symptoms of physical and mental strains of stress including panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, chest pains, being worried or tense.
Ed explained how the feelings associated with stress are not just contained within one month, “Yes it’s a dedicated time that we’re looking at stress, but that’s not just for April, it’s all year round.
“Stress is normal and we all have things that hit out of the blue. Stress is unpredictable and it is part of life. It is so important to look at how we look after ourselves when the stress hits. If we are in crisis, how do we prioritise our well- being?”
Ed described how sometimes those who are experiencing symptoms of stress or find themselves in crisis can put off asking for help. “The question is, why is that the case? For me it is two main things, one is that perception of ‘yeah, I’m ok’ and the other is the availability of resources and support, does that person know where to get help?”
Ed added that incorporating movement and physical activity and how we speak to ourselves, can go along way in dealing with symptoms of stress. “Movement is a way of using our senses to bring in the positive. With stress, how many times do you either dwell on the past or rush way ahead to the future with worst case worries? Your senses will distract the nervous system, what you see, feel, hear, smell or taste.
“What we say to ourselves can be really helpful. Resilient people will, instead of saying in their heads, make things worse. They will tell themselves more positive ‘self-talk’ like ‘this is temporary, ‘this is going to pass and I can deal with this.”
“What promotes people’s wellbeing and research backs this up. It is called Agency and its when you believe what you do makes a difference. Agency as a practice has three parts – one you believe you can do it, you have hope and optimism.”
Ed reflected that there is no “one size fits all model” when it comes to how a person deals with their own stress management. “Different things will help different people. Many of our techniques and guides are available through the Trust website. Ultimately you choose what is going to help you.”
Further support is available at Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing – South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust (hscni.net).
If you are in crisis, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 0800 808 8000.