Everybody has it, and everybody talks about it, but nobody really knows what stress is. WHY? It is because stress means different thing for each of us, and is also different for each of us.
Manage your stress and become more productive rather than self-destructive.
Stress is a part of modern living. It is unavoidable. To your body, stress is equivalent to CHANGE. Anything that causes a change in your life causes stress. Change can be real or imagined (or what we typically call "worrying"). Both these types of change can be equally stressful.
Stress serves a purpose when it provides us with the motivation to scale new challenges or overcome difficulties. Stress only becomes harmful when it is not proportionate to the severity of the situation, and when it interferes with the physical, work and social aspects of our daily lives.
Prevalence Anybody who experiences changes in his or her life i.e., practically everybody. Some groups of people are more susceptible to stress than others. For example, healthcare professionals, pilots, fire fighters, customer service officers, stockbrokers, teachers, students etc....
Stress can occur anytime. There are certain periods when we are more susceptible to stress, for example during exanm periods, festive seasons, when someone in the family is ill, and during crisis and emergencies.
Treatment / Help available
As stress is an inevitable part of our lives, it is necessary to arm ourselves with the necessary skills to counter stress. Let's look at the 8 steps to "de-stress":-
Know Oneself
Self-awareness, recognition and acceptance of ourselves are important for stress management. We need to know what are the things that can make us tick and react to stress.
Renew (Re-Programme) Your Mind
Being able to recognize and change our negative thinking styles would alter our feelings and eventually actions, towards external and internal sources of stress.
Seek Balance and Flexibility
Stress can come about as a result of a sense of loss and insecurity. To balance, be more flexible in matching your response to the context and situation.
Have Goals, Dreams & Passion
Goals provide us with a sense of direction and perspective. With a clear focus and passion, we feel a greater sense of control and purpose in life.
Get Supporters
We are social beings and we function with others. We do best when we are surrounded by supportive family or friends. They provide us with the assurance and validation that we need in the midst of a stressful situation.
Get a Higher Frame of Reference
We can also receive assurance and hope from our spiritual beliefs. Many studies have confirmed the benefits of having strong faith as a powerful stress-buffer, enhancing our ability to cope with life's more serious stresses.
Look After Your Body
A healthy body is a natural defense against stress. Eating and sleeping well ensures better health and a sense of well-being. Regular exercise helps to build physical and mental strength against stress.
Use Stress-Coping Strategies
It is important to have good and effective outlets and coping strategies. Poor coping strategies will worsen stress. Some examples of effective coping strategies are:
Engage in activities you enjoy
Practice relaxation techniques
Talk to someone you trust
Engage in physical exercises
Prioritize tasks accordingly
Love oneself
Seek professional help
In a nutshell, the 3A's of Effective Stress Management are :
Awareness - look out for the signs of stress
Analyse - determine the source of your stress
Apply - use strategies to help you cope better with stress
Remember: Work on a plan; then the plan will work for you!
Where To Seek Help?
There are various hotlines available to the general public.
• SOS: 1800-221 4444
• Mandarin Hotline 800: 1800-353 5800
• Parentline: 6829 8811
• Counselling & Care Centre: 6596 6966
Professional Consultation Is Also Accessible At:
Clinic
Appointment No.
Address
Behavioural Medicine Clinics
6389 2200
Block 149 Lorong 1
Toa Payoh #01-963
Singapore 310149
Tel : 6353 5800
6435 3879
Health Promotion Board Building
3 Second Hospital Avenue
#03-01 Singapore 168937
Counselling And Care Centre
6536 6366
Block 536 Upper Cross Street
#05-241 Hong Lim Complex
Singapore 050536
Care Corner Mandarin Counselling Centre
6353 5800
Block 149 Lorong 1
Toa Payoh #01-963
Singapore 310149
We endeavour to promote mental health through the provision of person-focused service that is integrated, comprehensive, accessible, cost-effective and by pursuing continuous learning and research.
