Stressful time tips and resource links

It’s a stressful time for many. Stress is the mental and/or the physical tension that can happen when adapting to any number of changes. It can result from many small to significant things, including traffic, noise, deadlines, financial difficulties, family conflict, illness etc. We are all in a highly stressful time. The amount of day-to-day stress is magnified by the global pandemic and the uncertainties that go along with it. 

Too much stress can be harmful to us, so it’s essential to pay attention to how much your day-to-day stress grows right now. For example, you may have been temporarily laid off work or have a loved one sick with the virus, which is a significant increase in stress. 

While some things are out of your ability to control, keeping your mind and body healthy during stressful times is key to trying not letting stress overwhelm you.

Stressful time tips

1. Take a break when you feel your stress increasing. Change what you’re doing, take a break or try a few minutes of stretching or deep breathing to help.
2. Where possible, give yourself plenty of time to do things so that you don’t always feel rushed and panicked.
3. Make sure you take a break-even for five minutes. Relax, read, watch a movie, contact someone to say hi. A break can help you rebalance.
4. Exercise regularly. Any physical activity you like to do will help to relieve stress and tension.
5. Pick your battles. Set priorities for yourself so that you can be more flexible when it comes to the less essential things in your life.
6. Talk to someone you trust to work out your ideas or problems. They may be able to help, or sometimes just hearing a friendly voice makes a difference. 
7. If you need it, set up a video call with your doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor to help manage your stress more effectively.

If you have depression, anxiety or seasonal affective disorder (which may be heightened right now if you’re quarantined) I’m linking to downloadable self-care books. I give them to my business clients for employees as part of a package. I’m hoping there may be some helpful information or resources there if you need it.

Anxiety booklet

Depression booklet

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) booklet

Link to all three booklets

Disclaimer

These tips and the booklets are just a guide and not intended to give medical advice. I have my degree in psychology but am not a practicing psychologist. If you are experiencing depression or anxiety attacks during this time, please see your counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist or doctor.

The WHO has some global mental health resources.