Mental Health Toolkit - Stressbusting

Sometimes we get locked into habits of trying to relieve our distress in ways that are not healthy or sustainable for us in the long term.

Common unhealthy methods of reducing our distress include trying to control others around us and trying to control how we are feeling by self-medicating with substances, overworking or simply by trying to stuff the feelings down so that we don’t have to feel them.

Here are a few effective ways to reduce stress.

• Exercise has a profoundly positive effect on our mental health. Daily exercise will boost your overall mood as well as giving you a sense of achievement and improving your physical health. Our bodies are designed to move and they are happiest when being used regularly

• Nature Bathing or Shinrin-yoku originated as an activity in Japan in the 1980s. Studies have shown that regular contact with the natural world lowers stress, pulse rate and blood pressure. You could join a local walkers group or go on your own or with a friend to a local park or the countryside to enjoy the fresh air and the peace and beauty of the natural world.

• Learn to be self-compassionate and talk gently to yourself. Replace judging or criticising yourself by developing a nurturing inner voice and say to yourself during hard times “You’re a good person going through a hard time. You’ll get through this, lets take one moment at a time. It will be okay”.

• Reduce negative input from the news. The news media grab our attention using dramatic, negative and startling headlines and stories. This can cause us unnecessary alarm and put the nervous system on alert.

• Find a good therapist to talk to - Try out a few if necessary to find one you feel comfortable and safe to share with, the fit has to be a very good one for the most effective experience.