Explains what stress is, what might cause it and how it can affect you. Includes information about ways you can help yourself and how to get support.
Taking steps to look after your wellbeing can help you deal with pressure, and reduce the impact that stress has on your life. This is sometimes called developing emotional resilience. Resilience is not just your ability to bounce back, but also your capacity to adapt in the face of challenging circumstances, whilst maintaining a stable mental wellbeing. Resilience isn't a personality trait – it's something that we can all take steps to achieve.
For example, you can:
There are some general changes that you can make to your lifestyle that could help you feel more able to cope with pressure and stressful situations.
"When I'm stressed, I take myself away from everyone, into another room or somewhere quiet – even just for five minutes – and sing to myself. Not full on belting out a tune, but just quietly or even humming to myself, really calms me down."
Taking steps to look after your physical health can help you to look after your mental health and reduce feelings of stress.
Learning to be kinder to yourself in general can help you control the amount of pressure you feel in different situations, which can help you feel less stressed.
"I distract myself from my [...] worry by doing a puzzle or playing a game."
Remember that whatever you're going through that's causing you stress, you don't have to cope with it alone.
"[It helps me to] hug, fuss and play with my kittens!"
For more tips on building your emotional resilience, see our pages on improving your wellbeing, and increasing your self-esteem.
This information was published in November 2017.
This page is currently under review. All content was accurate when published.
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