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Finding strength in stress
“They tried to make me go to rehab but I said no, no, no…”
So sang Amy Winehouse of course, who as it turned out was not so much of a stranger to the odd retreat as she might have had us believe.
And it seems that rehab is no longer the exclusive domain of stressed-out celebs.
In an article last month the BBC reported on a new breed of clientele visiting the Essex coast Causeway Retreat, the rehab centre popular with rock stars and celebrities, Amy W among them.
Apparently, the Retreat has seen business booming as a result of the recession, as executives check in suffering from stress and exhaustion, and interestingly these corporate clients are said to be mainly high flying women.
Especially interesting was a 50 year old finance director, who visited the retreat having found herself working longer hours and drinking excessively, both very common indicators of stress. Speaking very reticently to a journalist she typifies I think how many people react to stress. People generally don’t like admitting to suffering. The pressure to carry on in work and in life prevents women from seeking help, and owning up to stress is seen as a “failure” or as “admitting defeat”. The result is most women don’t get the help they need until it’s too late. It’s as if it takes a breakdown to justify dealing with stress and anxiety.
But why should this have to be the case? Isn’t it about time we broke the taboos associated with stress and started dealing with it before the meltdown comes?
For those who suffer from stress and anxiety it’s difficult to describe how it feels. I often think that living with stress is like driving a car in the rain. You sort of know where you’re going but you can’t see much of the road ahead. It’s not bad enough to stop the car and get out, but the journey is slow and laborious. Getting help with stress is like someone showing you how to switch on the windscreen wipers.
But making that step to get help with stress is not so easy. Many women don’t feel justified in seeking advice even though eliminating stress from your life is a positive thing. It will make you stronger, more productive, more effective and more successful. At the risk of stretching my metaphor too far, isn’t it better to locate the wipers early and avoid the car crash altogether?
When we’re feeling overweight or our body’s out of shape, we head for the gym. Isn’t it about time women everywhere felt able to take care of their mental wellbeing in the same way we are encouraged to look after our physical health?
Tips for beating stress – remember to BREATHE!
If you are affected by stress, there are steps you can take immediately to make you feel better. Follow this easy guide to reducing your stress levels:
B is for Breathing
Sounds very basic, but breathing correctly is the most fundamental thing we can do to improve our mental wellbeing. So many of us breathe incorrectly with the result that oxygen levels are affected. Stress can cause shallow breathing and ultimately panic attacks. Breathe deeply, using your lung capacity and diaphragm (the muscle under your ribcage) and you’ll find it immediately calming.
R is for Rest and Relaxation
Absolutely essential if you are stressed out is making sure you get enough “R & R”. This means good quality sleep and time during the day to relax. If stress is affecting your sleep, try having a bedtime routine such as a relaxing bath and warm drink (not caffeinated!) to calm you down and avoid watching TV in bed. If you find yourself unable to sleep because you have things to do on your mind, keep a notepad and pen next to the bed and write things down so that you can put them out of your mind until the morning.
E is for Eating
Diet is one of the first things to go when we’re stressed as we grab food on the go and often opt for unhealthy options for convenience. Digestive problems are a very common accompaniment to stress. Eating a balanced diet of real food (not processed) will help address stress and anxiety. Take the time to prepare fresh food and to concentrate on eating. And don’t multi-task whilst eating by watching TV, working or driving for instance. Take the time to nourish yourself properly and enjoy the food you are eating.
A is for Alcohol
At times of stress, we often reach for a glass of wine to unwind at the end of the day. What many of us don’t realize is that this is not necessarily the best option for de-stressing. Reliance on alcohol can quickly get out of control at times of stress. Try to moderate your alcohol consumption. If you can, try going without alcohol for a period and you’ll see how much better you feel. Your sleep will improve and you’ll feel more energized and better able to cope.
T is for Time for You
Easier said than done, I know, when so many of us have jobs, home and a family to balance, but taking time out just for you is so important to keeping stress in check. And it’s not something to feel guilty about. Whether it’s finding time to do something you love – going for a run, swimming, whatever – or just ten minutes of meditation whilst you’re stuck in a traffic jam, the more you can take time out to recharge the better you’ll feel and the nicer you’ll be to those around you.
H is for H2O!
Drink plenty of water. This is so important for wellbeing generally. We all know we should drink more water but few of us manage to get in the 8 recommended glasses a day. One tip is to grab a small glass every time you pass a water cooler to help keep yourself hydrated.
E is for Exercise
Exercise is well known to have a positive effect on stress. Get your trainers on and release those natural happy chemicals to reduce your stress immediately. Finding the motivation to exercise can be so difficult when you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed-out. Focus on how good you’ll feel afterwards, and how much more efficient you’ll be when you are re-energized.
About the author
Name: Catrin Mills
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website: http://www.makeoveryourmind.co.uk
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