Reclaiming Control: Managing Stress & Anxiety

Stress is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. 

Stress and anxiety are common emotional responses to change but it’s how we manage our emotions and protect our mental health that makes the real difference. 

April is Stress Awareness Month.

Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992; it’s key purpose being to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic. That’s why we’re placing a spotlight on stress and anxiety and our top tips for how to manage situations that bring us increased stress.  

Sometimes it can seem impossible to regain control of our emotions, particularly when things are changing all around us, but you have a lot more control than you think. Stress management is not a one-size-fits all, but by learning and tapping into the mechanisms that work for you, you can restore your emotional equilibrium and continue to do the things you love. 

The 4 A’s of Stress Management 

Understanding the situations that bring about stress is the first step towards knowing how to conquer it. Consider the 4 A’s of Stress Management… which ‘A’ you use will depend on the situation:

Avoid

Sometimes, you may be able to avoid the stressful situation all together. Remember that it’s completely okay to say no to social invitations that may make you feel uncomfortable. Take a step back and consider your options in peace time, prior to the event and avoid unnecessary stress. 

Alter

Whilst avoidance can work in some situations, it’s not always possible or practical. In some cases, you can learn to alter either a situation to make it more comfortable for you and others around you. One effective way of doing this is through creating clear lines of communication with the people around you.  

Accept

Sometimes we just have to accept things the way they are. By learning how to manage our stress, learn from experience and practice positive self-talk, we can often keep negative feelings of stress and anxiety at bay even when we can’t control the situation. Learning to get through stressful situations and reinforcing positive affirmations are a great way to reduce stress.

Adapt

One of the greatest stressors is feeling overwhelmed and thinking you can’t cope. So, one of the best ways to deal with stress is by learning to adapt in ways that help you to work with the situations that make you feel overwhelmed. Practicing organisation techniques, learning to lean on others or understanding the power of mindfulness are all ways in which we can learn to adapt. 

Everyone has to deal with stress in their lives at some point but by practicing these four steps, we can create balance and equip ourselves with the sharpest tools when it comes to stress management.