Tips on coping with stress

[slipperandpjsmum]

I have a very stressful full time job and I am currently struggling to cope with my stress levels. Does anyone have any tips how they manage their stress levels? Any stratergies that may be useful? I do not want to leave and its not possible to reduce my hours so I am looking for tips to manage my existing situation rather than to alter the job. Thanks in anticipation.

[foxinsocks]

do you know what makes it stressful for you?

[slipperandpjsmum]

The content of the work itself eg dealing with very distressing situation, the amount of work and the expectation of the other organisations upon us. I could go on .....

[mollyroger]

1: identify what makes you feel less stressed eg a long bath, walking or some excercise, meditation, yoga and do it. No excuse, make time, even 10 mins a day.

2: Cut down on caffeine/alcohol/nicotine. These things make physical stress symptoms worse.

3: Make a daily list of to do things and then delegate and prioritise . This is really important. Switch to things like home shopping.

4: Talk to family and explain that you are feeling very stressed and you need help. If you have a dp, talk to them and say that you need them to do xyz. All but the youngest children can help with housework tasks.

5: At work, take a lunch break. You can call it something else if there is not a lunchbreak culture - get outsides for 10 mins. Sit quietly somewhere.

6: Look up yoga breathing and learn some basic techniques when you feel your blood pressure rising
They DO work.

[wheelsonthebus]

mollyroger - good advice. I would just add

1. Try and 'zone out' if you can. Watch a film in the evening. Go swimming. Turn your phone off. Read a book. Go to bed at 9.30pm.
   
2. Try and deflect the focus from your job and go and visit someone, preferably elderly, who has the benefit of hindsight and will tell you that all that really matters is your health, and you have to look after yourself.
   
3. Take a couple of sick days and stay in bed with a good magazine. Stress is an illness and needs knocking on the head.

[wheelsonthebus]

If you need them there's always Kalms, Botanics calming balm and Rescue Remedy.