Stress Management

Virtually everyone today lives with some form of stress.  And yet most people don't realise how profoundly stress can affect their health - take a look at the facts below:-

• 43% of all adults suffer stress-related adverse health affects
• 75-90% of all visits to GP's are for stress-related complaints or disorders
• Stress has been linked to all of the leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis and suicide.
• In addition, if you experience stress in the workplace, you are at a 50-70% higher risk of developing CHD or stroke
• Stress is responsible for more than 5 million lost workdays annually.

So to be healthy and to make your health last a lifetime, it is important to understand the sources of stress in your life and what you can do to manage them.  

Here are eight proven stress management techniques :-

1. Sleep - try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to restore health and vitality to your mind and body.
2. Diet - A good nutritious, balanced diet will help prepare your body for daily stress. 
3. Exercise - Incorporate 10 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise into each day to help treat nervous tension associated with stress.
4. Practice Relaxation Techniques - Many people find that practising relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, regular massage therapy, etc can reduce physical and emotional tension.
5. Maintain a Positive Attitude - Humour and laughter are healing!  Engage in activities that inspire you to smile, laugh and think positively.
6. Practice Effective Communication - stress levels can increase when poor communication leads to misunderstandings.  It is important to maintain healthy relationships with our family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances.
7. Manage Your Time Efficiently - Keep a calendar of realistic goals and take time to plan your schedules.  When you have too many tasks to complete and too little time, you can start to feel overwhelmed and stressed.
8. Develop Leisure Activities - Pursue a satisfying hobby or leisure activity which will bring you great enjoyment and satisfaction, and more importantly, help to reduce your stress levels.

By following The FirstLine Therapy programme these techniques can be incorporated into your personal programme which your practitioner can tailor to suit you.

We can help you find a FirstLine Therapy practitioner in your area - just click here!