Don’t worry (doo da-doo da-doo de-dooo), be healthy!

Money worries, health issues, relationship problems, a new job, social media. They’re all part of everyday life and they all have something in common – they can bring stress to your life.
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What is stress?
Most of us will experience stress at some point in our lives. It often comes in times of change and right now, in the midst of a pandemic, we are living in an ever-changing environment.
 
Feelings of stress are usually short term and can be helpful. Stress can help us to face new challenges and motivate us to take action. But sometimes the stress persists, and this can take a heavy toll on our wellbeing.
 
Recognising when you’re stressed
Signs of stress can be both physical and psychological. Being aware of the common warning signs will help us to recognise when we need to take action to manage our stress.
 
Physical symptoms to look out for include:

• Pounding heart                        
• Tummy ache
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbance
• High blood pressure
• Frequent headaches

 
Psychological signs include:

• Worry
• Fear
• Tearfulness
• Irritability
• Helplessness
• Difficulty with memory or concentration
• Feeling overwhelmed

 
Managing stress
Techniques for managing stress are many and varied. It’s a matter of finding what’s right for you.
 

• Relax – practising yoga, meditation, mindfulness and deep breathing can reduce stress and increase feelings of joy and tranquility.

 

• Connect - with yourself and others. Take a break from social media and spend some time enjoying your own company. Write in a journal, read a book, or relax in the sunshine. Or connect with friends in person. A simple face to face with your bestie can trigger stress relieving hormones and calm the nervous system. 

 

• Move - regular exercise improves our sense of well-being, boosts our energy, improves sleep and helps us feel more positive. It also releases endorphins, which are our brains’ ‘feel good’ chemicals.

 

• Be kind - to yourself and others. Practise self-care. Stop the negative self-talk and swap it for encouragement and positive affirmations. Treat yourself to a massage or a warm bath. And share your kindness with others. Helping friends and family will also help you!

 

• Eat a healthy diet - reduce your intake of ultra-processed foods, refined grains, saturated and trans fats, and added sugar. Eat more mood boosting foods including fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, lean meat, eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, legumes and dairy.

 

• Sleep - your body needs time to recover from stressful events. Make setting up a sleep routine and practising good sleep habits a priority.

 
If you are experiencing symptoms of stress, make an appointment with the team at OnBundock for a confidential consultation in a relaxed environment. Call on 07 4722 9800. And remember, you’ve got this!