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Top 5 Tips on Handling Stress During the Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has been an extremely stressful time for all of us, from stay-at-home parents to tech entrepreneurs like Monzo founder Tom Blomfield, who recently left the bank amid increasing pressure on his mental wellbeing. This is a stark reminder of the impact the Covid-19 pandemic is having on our mental health. No matter the job or stability during the pandemic, all of us have faced some stress or anxiety during the last year, fueled by increasing infection rates and worries for our families and loved ones.Stress can have detrimental effects on our mental health, physical wellbeing and behaviour. When we are stressed, we are more likely to feel chest pain, suffer from headaches and even face fatigue. Our anxiety increases when we are stressed, leaving us restless and lacking motivation. These physical and mental effects can cause us to change our behaviour with over or undereating, turning to drugs, alcohol or tobacco, and even having angry outbursts.If you want to learn more about how to handle stress, then please keep reading. Take control of your life and overcome the daily stress which plagues your happiness. Taking on some of the following tips and advice will help you put stress behind you during the pandemic and beyond.

Try Different Hobbies

Keep your mind focused on something other than your stress and find an outlet for when you feel overwhelmed. Something as simple as sitting down and reading for 30 minutes before bed can help you sleep better and feel less stressed. If you want to be more creative with your hobbies, why not look for local art classes, dancing groups, or even choirs. Getting together with other like-minded people will help you make friends and build a support bubble for when your stress becomes too much.Make time for your hobbies every day, or at least a few times a week. This will help you get in a routine where you prioritise your health and happiness and find an hour or so to step away from your stress.

Keep Your Environment Organised

We all know the saying - a messy desk means a messy mind. While this isn’t always true (a messy desk can be a sign of creative people), keeping an organised desk - and home - will give you one less thing to worry about during the day. At work, try and give everything a place and keep it that way. You will be less likely to panic and overreact when you can’t find something because the stress of losing paper, stationary or essential documents isn’t sending you over the edge.Similarly, at home, try and keep your environment organised. Make sure you hoover regularly and spend five minutes before bed fluffing pillows or moving books and plates back to where they belong. When you come downstairs the next day, you won’t be overwhelmed with the stress of having to tidy your home.

Avoid Stimulants

Often when stressed, people turn to stimulants like tobacco, alcohol and drugs to keep their mind active and stress-free. However, stimulants such as these can cause your stress and anxiety to worsen, leading to more detrimental mental and physical side effects. However, as they stimulate your feel-good hormones, you don’t recognise these side effects until it is too late. You need to remember that the benefits you get from these stimulants are only short-term, and actually more damaging to your mental health in the long-term.

Look After Yourself

People can overlook the importance of looking after our body to improve our mental health. The way we feel physically can hugely influence our thoughts and emotions. By looking after ourselves, we can overcome our stress and find it easier to go through life.Taking care of our body falls into two categories: exercise and healthy eating. We need to move our body to release the happy hormones which boost our mood and improve our mental health. At the same time, we need to fuel the body for this exercise with healthy food. More energy from better sources will allow us to feel energised throughout the day and less likely to want to stay in bed and stress.

Recognise You Need Help

Therapy no longer has the same stigma that once prevented people from seeking the support they need and deserve. People now recognise therapy as both a tool to overcome their mental health issues and an outlet to express the thoughts and feelings they may hide from those closest to them. As an experienced and passionate therapist, I am dedicated to creating a safe environment where people can trust my support and guidance. I want to help you look to a brighter and better future where your happiness is no longer impeded by stress and anxiety.If you are interested in learning more about my services as a therapist, please contact me today. I have worked with a wide range of clients, addressing mental health issues such as trauma and depression, and can support your journey of overcoming stress. With a compassionate ear and a large bank of knowledge, I can ensure that you feel supported even at your lowest moments.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]