Stress Awareness Month 2022
Published: 22/04/2022
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic.
The last two years facing the epidemic have been the most challenging especially for us who have worked in the Care Sector. We have faced situations which were totally unexpected, however, Right at Home Wimbledon, Putney and Kingston got through them!
How to manage stress and burnout as a CareGiver
We all experience stress at some point in our lives; when you were younger, you may have felt stress doing your exams or maybe your driving test or maybe when you interviewed for your role here with us? But what is stress? And how can it impact our daily lives if not managed?
The Oxford Dictionary defines stress as:
"Pressure or worry is caused by problems in somebody’s life or by having too much to do."
Stress manifests differently in each person and is impacted by experiences in our daily lives. What one person may find stressful another may find comforting or a break. At times the role of a Care Assistant can become stressful at times and if not noticed quickly and managed effectively may cause burnout.
We’ll discuss how stress can manifest itself in individuals and measures you can take with yourself and with us to reduce your stress
What does stress look like?
Just the same as different people find different things stressful, stress may look different from one person to another. For example, some people may become irritable while others may become quiet and distant. Stress can also manifest itself in physical attributes as well; being stressed can cause eye-twitching or an upset stomach.
There are several ways which include breathing techniques that can be used:
- Yoga, why not try the Good Life Yoga Studio in Wimbledon Village?
- Meditation, with both online and in-person classes, head to Body & Brain in Putney
- Tai Chi; Mei Quan Academy of Tai Chi has developed a highly effective beginners courses across London including locations in Chelsea, Putney and Wimbledon
- Aerobic exercises such as jogging
- Prayer
Another way we can reduce our stress levels is to reduce or cut out stimulants, this could be coffee, sugar, and sweets. Maybe you stop off at one of the hundreds of Pret Coffee Shops across London and have a coffee to start the day with two sugars? Why not try to have the coffee with one sugar, then no sugar, then maybe switching to tea? It’s no easy fix but it may help in the long run. Try eating a diet enriched with vitamins like fruits and vegetables, they may help you focus, feel less tired and in turn reduce your stress levels. Head to Kingston Market is home to both traditional market stalls selling fresh fruit, veg, fish and bread as well as delicious hot food to take away!
Practice relaxation techniques such as taking a walk along the Thames, making time for a craft like knitting, watching a funny movie, taking a hot bath, singing, getting a massage, and other activities that bring you pleasure.
While stress is not entirely unavoidable in life, people can choose how they react to stress as it comes up and how they care for themselves. Don’t ignore your stress or hope it will just go away. Be aware of the symptoms and find positive ways to de-stress your life.
