Top Tips for Self Care and Stress Management

As part of our campaign for Stress Awareness Month, we have developed 10 Top Tips for Self Care and Stress Management.

Looking after our mental health is important for all of us. Just like with physical health, there are things we can all do to help us look after our mental wellbeing and face the challenges life throws at us.

Give some of these tips a go and let us know how they have helped support your mental wellbeing.

1. A healthy diet - What you eat can really affect your mood, so choose wisely when reaching for the snack bowl. Did you know that eating a healthy and balanced diet can also reduce the risk of diet-related diseases?
2. Regular exercise - Did you know that regular exercise is an effective way of reducing stress? It doesn’t have to be anything strenuous, just getting out for a short walk to enjoy some fresh air can be a big stress buster.
3. Be mindful - Research has shown that mindfulness meditation can reduce the effects of stress and anxiety and related problems such as insomnia, poor concentration and low moods. Mindfulness meditation can be practised anywhere, at any time!
4. A positive mindset - Trying to remain positive can help to reduce stress levels. Practise writing down three things you’re grateful for at the end of each day.
5. Take control - Did you know that the feeling of loss of control is one of the main causes of stress? The act of taking control is empowering, and it is a crucial part of finding a solution that satisfies you and not someone else.
6. Connect with people - A good support network of friends, family and colleagues can ease your work troubles and help you to see things in a different and more positive way.
7. Have some ‘me’ time - In the UK we work some of the longest hours in Europe. This means that we often miss out on doing things that we really enjoy. Setting aside some time each week for socialising, relaxing or exercising can be a big stress reliever.
8. Avoid unhealthy habits - Relying on alcohol, smoking and caffeine to help with stress is not advised. It may seem like it provides temporary relief to problems, however it can in turn create new problems.
9. Minimising phone use and screen time - Whilst smartphones, computers and tablets are often necessary for many people, using them too often can increase stress levels. Spending too much time in front of screens is associated with lower psychological wellbeing in adults and in children. Cutting back on the screen time can really increase psychological wellbeing.
10. Creating boundaries - One way to combat stress is to take control of your personal life - having too much on your plate can increase stress and limit the amount of time that you have to spend on self-care. Learning to say ‘no’ more often can reduce stress levels as it stops you from feeling overwhelmed.

Within the East Riding, we have a local IAPT service called the East Riding Emotional Wellbeing Service.

This service works in partnership with other therapy providers such as Relate and House of Light, to offer free NHS support for adults aged 16 or over, who live in the local area and are experiencing common mental health problems.

“Self-care is how you take your power back.”

— Lalah Delia, spiritual writer, certified spiritual practitioner, wellness educator, and the founder of Vibrate Higher Daily

To find out more about the Emotional Wellbeing Service:

Text TALK to 60163

Call: 01482 335451

Refer Online: https://iaptportal.co.uk/erew.html

Website: www.humberews.co.uk