Treatment for stress

Acknowledging the negative effect stress is having on your life, and understanding that this is not OK is an important first step. Once you have admitted to yourself that you need support, you can look into the various treatments available. Your first port of call may be your GP who will be able to assess your stress levels and suggest appropriate treatments. Below we list some suggested treatments for stress:

Counselling

One recommendation commonly offered by doctors is counselling and psychotherapy. Talking with a professional about the difficulties you’re experiencing can help you understand any underlying issues that may be causing your stress – for example, low self-esteem. Working with your counsellor you will then be able to identify your personal stress triggers and discuss ways of coping with them.

Mindfulness

One form of therapy that has been recommended for those struggling with stress is mindfulness. This approach comes from a Buddhist meditation technique and focuses on paying attention to the present moment rather than worrying about past or future events. Whilst focusing on the present moment you are encouraged to notice how your body is feeling and what thoughts come and go, without judgement.

From the theories of mindfulness more specific therapies have been devised – mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBSR aims to help lower stress levels through meditation techniques and moment-to-moment awareness. MBCT uses similar techniques, however it also looks to identify negative thought processes that can contribute to conditions such as anxiety and depression (the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence recommend MBCT for those with recurrent depression).

Support groups

Stress is an increasingly common concern and there are a number of support groups available. Being able to talk through your difficulties with other people who are going through something similar can help you feel more connected. You may also find that you are able to swap tips and ideas about stress management – in many cases, the release of talking about your concerns can be enough to reduce stress.

Everyday stress management

As well as the above treatments for stress, there are things you can do yourself at home to help manage your stress. Mental health experts agree that the following tips can help with everyday stress management:

Know your stress triggers

If you’re not sure what it is that’s causing your stress, it might be a good idea to keep a diary and note down any stressful episodes over the course of a couple of weeks. Aim to include as much information about your experience as possible, including the time and place, what you were doing, what you were thinking about, how you felt physically and a rating out of 10 of how stressed you felt.

Using this diary you should be able to figure out what your stress triggers are, how you cope with pressure and how you could potentially change your reactions.

Look after yourself

This means getting enough exercise, eating well and taking time to relax. Health professionals agree that exercise is a useful tool when tackling stress as it releases ‘feel-good’ endorphins, helping you to physically and mentally de-stress. Eating well is another important factor. Eating an unhealthy diet puts your body under physical stress, which can exacerbate any emotional stress you may be feeling.

Taking time to relax is another key part of self-care and is essential if you want to reduce stress. Aim to dedicate a certain amount of time every day to relaxation, whether that be meditating, practising yoga, reading, or simply being quiet with your own thoughts.

Take control

One of the main reasons people feel stressed is because they feel as if they don’t have control of a situation. While of course it is impossible to always be in control, you can choose to control your approach to a situation. If you remain passive in your thinking (i.e. “I can’t do anything about my problem”) then chances are your stress levels will continue to build. If however you choose to accept your problem and look to find a solution to it (which may involve you reaching out for help), you will begin to feel more in control.

Connect with others

When we are stressed it can be easy for us to hide ourselves away from the outside world and avoid social contact. This can lead to us feeling isolated and even more stressed. Talking through your problems with friends, family and even co-workers can help you feel more connected and may even help you view your concerns in a different light. Sometimes talking to someone else about their worries puts ours in perspective. Some people find it therapeutic to get out of their own head for a while, so why not consider volunteering?

Avoid unhealthy habits

When we are stressed it is easy to rely on unhealthy habits to make us feel (temporarily) better. Such habits may include smoking, drinking, taking drugs or even overeating. In the long-term, these habits will only create new problems and as they don’t tackle the cause of your stress, you will continue to feel the effects.

Accept what you cannot change

If a difficult situation arises and there is nothing you can do to change it, take a step back and accept this. Recognise that there are some things in life you cannot control. Instead try to focus on what you can control. For example, if you are being made redundant there is probably little you can do to turn the situation around. What you can do however is control your reaction and what you do next – you may choose to see it as an opportunity and begin a new job search.

Relaxation techniques

Learning how to relax properly is an essential part of stress management. There are many different relaxation techniques that you can try, many of which focus on relaxing your body and breathing in a certain way.

In preparation, look to set aside a specific time each day to relax and stick to this schedule. If you can, choose a quiet place away from distractions – if you have young children, why not have them join in? This can be especially useful before their bedtime.

An example relaxation exercise:

• Have a good stretch and sit/lie in a comfortable position.
• Working from your toes up to your head identify any areas of tension and consciously relax your muscles.
• Breathe deeply and picture a peaceful scene.
• If you find yourself getting distracted, count your breaths.

Like most things, relaxation takes practice – so don’t lose heart if you find it difficult at first. Keep practising and explore other ways to relax, such as aromatherapy or meditation.