Stress in Daily Life
Stress is not an illness itself. Stress is the feeling of being under too much pressure which turns into stress when you feel unable to cope. People have different ways of reacting to stress, so a situation that feels stressful to one person may be motivating to someone else. Many of life’s demands can cause stress, particularly work, relationships and money problems.
It’s important to recognise the symptoms of stress early to prevent it getting overwhelming and affecting the way you function, emotionally and physically. Recognising the signs and symptoms of stress will help you figure out ways of coping and save you from adopting unhealthy coping methods, such as drinking or smoking.
There is little you can do to prevent stress, but there are many things you can do to manage stress more effectively, such as learning how to relax, taking regular exercise and adopting good time-management techniques.
For more information see the useful links below:
Exam Stress
Everyone gets stressed during exams but it’s important not to let it get out of control. Check out the common signs of stress and the best ways to chill yourself out:
Useful Links to help you cope:
- How to cope with exam stress – Mind
- Exam stress – Childline
- Beat exam stress – NHS choices
- Surviving exams – NHS choices
Stress at Home
Any change in life can make you feel stressed. The first step is to learn to recognize when you’re feeling stressed. Early warning signs of stress include tension in your shoulders and neck, or clenching your hands into fists.
Useful Links:
- Stress and family life
- A fathers guide to managing stress at home
- Medication MK offer mediation sessions for couples and families: 01908 231 293
- Relate MK
Stress at Work
Workplace stress is an employment problem, see these websites to help you deal with work related stress:
- Workplace Stress Test – NHS Choices
- Work Related Stress – HSE
- Beat Stress at Work – NHS choices
- Stress at work – ACAS
- Stress at work – help guide
- Workplace stress – Stress management society
- How to cope with stress at work – Time to change
- Work stress net
- Workplace stress – Nidirect
Financial Stress
Money problems are one of the leading causes of stress. For more information, help and advice see these websites:
- Financial stress and other support services – NHS Choices
- Debt Advisory Centre
- Debt problems – money saving expert
- Debt and savings for the elderly – Age UK
- Help with debt – Citizens Advice Bureau
Social care
Adult social care is about providing personal and practical support to help people live their lives. It’s about supporting individuals to maintain their independence.
Directly refer yourself or a family member for assessment of social needs using this form: (attach ASCAT form)
See the following websites for more information, advice and support:
- Guide to social care services – NHS Choices
- Paying for social care – NHS choices
- How to get social care – NHS choices
- Social care in Milton Keynes
- Social care benefit advice Milton Keynes
Midlife crisis
Midlife crisis is a time where adults come to realize their own mortality and how much time is left in their life. Sometimes, a crisis can be triggered by transitions experienced in these years, such as andropause or menopause, the death of parents or other causes of grief, unemployment or underemployment, realizing that a job or career is hated but not knowing how else to earn an equivalent living, or children leaving home. People may reassess their achievements in terms of their dreams.
The result may be a desire to make significant changes in core aspects of day-to-day life or situation, such as in career, work-life balance, marriage, romantic relationships, large expenditures, or physical appearance.
For more information, advice and support see these websites:
10 stress busters
Visit NHS Choice to see the Top 10 Stress Busting Tips.
Volunteer for your health
Make a difference in your life and de-stress by volunteering. Here are few things you can volunteer for in Milton Keynes:
- Community Action MK
- Volunteer in MK
- Volunteer at the local hospital
- Volunteer at your local museum
- Volunteer with your Community Health Services
- Volunteer at MK Gallery
- Volunteer with MK marathon
- Volunteer for age UK
- Volunteer with MK parent partnership
- Volunteer with Willen Hospice
- Volunteer with MaD
- Volunteer with careers MK