Managing stress and maintaining health
Our body has been designed to protect us for survival. Our ancestors had this mechanism to deal with danger and keep safe, and we have inherited it. Our body reacts when it notices that our demands exceed our resources, releasing the stress hormone cortisol. Our body responds by tensing up muscles and increasing heart rate so
What is PTSD? Strategies to maintain health and wellbeing
Whenever something happens out of the ordinary, it can have a significant impact on people. A traumatic event is described as such because it overwhelm us - such as a car accident, natural disasters, or when a person is attacked or injured. In these situations, most people will experience symptoms as a reaction to the distressing
Feeling stressed? How to prevent burnout?
Are you feeling exhausted, slower at work and doubting yourself? Are you experiencing compassion fatigue? Do you notice it is difficult to empathise with those in your care? It can be a distressing feeling for all those working in services such as emergency services, health care and education. We go into these professions because of a strong
Sleepy? strategies to improve sleep during the pandemic
Since Covid-19, many of us have experienced sleep difficulties. The pandemic caused much disruption. Last March 2020, we did not know how long the lockdown would be, nor could we anticipate how our lives would be affected. We have experienced stress symptoms due to the increased uncertainty, affecting our mood. Our way of life changed, and we
Feeling tired? Strategies to keep well during challenging times
It is almost a year since the start of the pandemic when we started to live in lockdown. Many have been working tirelessly to keep things functioning to benefit others in the community. Some may be feeling the effects of the relentless pace of work, and the emotional demands of dealing with people’s distress have eroded
Feeling stressed? Exercise for body and mind
“ If there were a drug that could do for human health everything that exercise can, it would likely be the most valuable pharmaceutical ever developed.” (Tarnopolsky, 2016, cited in Oaklander, 2016) The body’s stress response is triggered when our brain (amygdala) detects danger and our body’s resources are not sufficient to manage the demands of the situation. Prolonged
Rethinking stressful situations and feel more in control
Bring your mind to a situation that you find stressful and identify how you're thinking about it. Do you notice negative thoughts? Are you wondering whether you can get your work done?As you notice these thoughts change your point of view. Instead of focusing on the problem as something that you cannot manage, think about it
Managing stress
What is stress? This word is too broad and covers a multitude of situations. When we use it we are likely to be referring to different things. McGonigal (2015) stated that stress is what arises when something we care about is at stake. What situations trigger tension? What do you notice in your body that tells you