Stress; (n) a state of mental or emotional strain, tension or exhaustion due to adverse or demanding circumstances.
Stress can be associated with many feelings including feeling overwhelmed. Everyone experiences these feelings MANY times throughout their life. But does it need to be that way?
Some things are unnecessary to be stressed over, and prevents the ideal outcome of the event or situation that is causing stress.
Stress could cause symptoms such clammy palms, racing thoughts, low energy, aches/pains in abdominal areas, headaches, nausea, insomnia and more which are listed below.
I often group feeling stressed and feeling overwhelmed together, as it’s difficult to identify when you’re stressed sometimes...So to recognise this, whenever you feel overwhelmed you might be slightly stressed. Your best bet to see whether you are experiencing stress is to list your symptoms and see if they match with the symptoms of stress.
However, Chà e Magazine is here to help!! Here is our four step guide that will help to become stress free! Please leave your feedback or questions if you have any!!
Identify what’s stressful:
This part may be difficult because some people just feel stressed and they don’t know why. We suggest to just jot down whatever thought that comes to mind which makes you feel uncomfortable. These are a few ideas:
Write a list
Draw a mind map
Talk about it to someone or say it out loud to yourself
Make an action plan:
Now that we know what you're stressed about, let’s create a system to tackle them down!
WORK / STUDY RELATED
Little bits! : take little steps at a time - you can’t do it all in one block!
Regular Breaks : you might feel counter intuitive but you will come back to you work much more efficiently after a healthy 20 min break!
Healthy Snacks : snack on some fruit and veggies!! Carrot/celery and hummus is my favourite and will help make you feel positive inside and out !!
Award Yourself : we know studying and working is hard, take some time to prepare some awards for yourself when you reach a milestone! (e.g. finished your readings = watch an episode)
FRIENDS / FAMILY RELATED
Find The ‘Why’: you need to identify why it is that there is stress in your relationship? What happened?
Reach Out OR Let Go: we know this step is difficult, but in a simple way, which makes you feel MORE comfortable? Envision yourself, are you in a happy/comfortable state of mind with or without them? Don’t cause yourself more stress...
Talk to us: we know this is much more difficult of s step to achieve, so reach out with our advice page and tell us your situation ! We will be more than happy to advise you of our opinions on what you need to do.
Talk to someone experienced : experience is more than a certificate or doctrine. So if you’re not comfortable with the school/uni counsellor, talk to your parents, guardians and friends! They’ve been through something like this too and know you better than most.
LIFE / SELF RELATED
Accept : easier said than done, but you need to simply accept the thing about yourself or the situation happening in your life. Accept. Breathe. Move on.
Get Passionate : hype yourself up! Get MOTIVATED get PASSIONATE about what’s happening, it will help you actually do something
Action Plan ~ YOU : time to make a more specific action plan for yourself. Want to get a good mark? Make that study plan. Want to get fit? Make a workout routine. Unhappy about your life? WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY and do that.
Time to de-stress
Lavender : flowers or in a diffuser, just smell some lavender
Liquid : keep hydrated and have a long warm bath
Colouring in : this helps relax and distract the mind
Get Outside : get your vitamin D and reset your body, take a walk!
Digital Detox : leave the electronic devices
Meditate : yoga, or even just sitting down and breathing, clear the mind.
Scented Candles : surround yourself with them in your bath!
Herbal tea : camomile is the best to calm
Potassium : get your banana on and up your potassium!
Medications : talk to a doctor first and they’ll gouge some suggestions.
Breathe in time with this!
If it continues, seek help
If you feel like nothing at all is working, it may be beyond you.
Counselling: this may be a situation beyond you if you cannot help but feel stressed. Talk to a professional and they’ll do everything they can to help.
SUPPORT SERVICES:
SUGGESTED APPS
Bloom (better you)
Headspace
Breathe To Relax
Pacifica
GPS for the Soul
Happify
Calm
Sleep Time
If you’re in an emergency situation or need immediate assistance, contact mental health services, go to your local emergency department or call emergency services on 000. If you need to speak to someone urgently, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.Â
Thanks for reading, remember let us know any questions or concerns! We REALLY hope this helped!!
Until next time!
Blog by Chelsea-Lee Bastable
