The month of April is National Stress Awareness Month. Are you in a constant state of worry?
The World Health Organisation defines stress as “a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well-being.” (www.who.int)
Difficult situation can be different for everyone and we cannot look at someone’s difficult situation and rate is as nothing just because our difficult situation appears to be worse. A difficult situation is difficult depending on the individual and that capacity to handle that situation.
On other occasions a state of worry or mental tension can be caused by stepping into unfamiliar ground or doing something that puts us out of our comfort zone.
Therefore, I cannot dismiss someone’s stress level of presenting to an audience to the first time as “nothing for them to worry about” just because someone did not die or received a terminal diagnosis.
I think it is really important that we support anyone in their “difficult situation” or “unfamiliar ground” regardless of what our personal opinion is.
As April is the month of stress awareness I would like to share a few nuggets to help you and also those around you to have a stress-free month.
If you or someone you know are showing signs of forgetfulness, lack of concentration and irritation, it could be signs of stress, don’t be too quick to retaliate but be supportive by trying out the following things which has helped me:
Keep Positive
I know, you maybe saying it’s not as easy to keep positive when you are in a difficult situation, when you have lost someone or find yourself in unfamiliar territory like presenting when you are an introvert. My suggestion is to give yourself 5-10mins to thinks about what is stressing you and then switch it off by thinking of all the good things that can come out of this. Even if someone passed, there are positive things that you can think of to help you not dwell on the difficult or unfamiliar part. When I lost my son I had to force myself to think positively that he is no longer suffering and whilst his life her was short I took comfort in the happy times we shared and spent with him.
Do things that you enjoy
This may not work in all situations but depending on what difficult situation you are in to reinforce keeping a positive attitude, engage in activities that you enjoy. This can be as simple as reading a book or watching a comedy or even cooking something or going for a walk. Taking a break from what causes the stress can help you see things in a different light.
Change your perspective
When I am in a difficult situation I try to understand what am I supposed to learn or get out of this situation. If everything around us goes according to plan and we are comfortable we will never develop our character or learn something new about ourselves. In each situation I try to use it as a teachable moment so I come out of it a better person. I know it is not easy to change your perspective when things are going wrong but I promise you that if you try it you will be less stress.
Someone recently said to me, "you are always happy," why is that? My response was its because I have Jesus and they looked at me as if I was a bit looney. Honestly, being a believer helps me also to see things with a different perspective.
