Kan Dail
A recent poll revealed that the USA is the most stressed country in the world, with around 75% of Americans saying that they have suffered or are suffering from stress.
Stress can affect the sufferer in many different ways. It can present as either a short-term issue or a long-term problem that can severely impact an individual’s quality of life and those of their families.
Below are some helpful tips for managing if you’re feeling the effects of stress and ways to prevent it from having a negative impact on your home and family life.
Talking Therapy Can Help
One of the most effective ways to deal with stress, and its mental fallout, is by going for therapy or counseling sessions. While this may seem a nerve-wracking prospect, therapists are specially trained to put you at ease and ensure you feel as comfortable as possible during the sessions.
As well as giving you vital coping mechanisms tailored to you as an individual and your needs, your therapist will also work with you to find out any underlying causes or issues causing you to feel the way you do so that they can be resolved.
If in-person therapy sessions are inconvenient, or you feel nervous about attending a practice, you may wish to consider online therapy to access the support you need from the comfort of your own home and at a day and time that suits you. Have a look here for details of the online therapy sites, what each service can offer, and the associated cost.
Share Out Tasks
If you’re feeling stressed, then a pile of household chores to do won’t help and makes snapping at your family more likely. Sharing out tasks among family members (who are old enough) is a great way to spread the load fairly and reduce stress at home.
Plus, it’s a good way of fostering independence in older kids to give them the domestic skills they’ll need in the future. They might need some convincing on this score, though…
The Importance of Eating Together
When we’re stressed, it can lead to feelings of wanting to isolate ourselves, even from our nearest and dearest. It’s essential to recognize if this is happening and to take steps to prevent it.
Making time to eat together as a family as often as possible is a great way to stay connected, relax, and talk together, and it can help reduce tension. A study from Brigham Young University recently discovered that those who ate dinner with their families every evening reported feeling more fulfilled and happier in their jobs and healthier in general.
Practice Deep Breathing Techniques
Simple mindfulness techniques can be really helpful in alleviating the symptoms of stress and can even keep it at bay.
A simple breathing technique involves simply finding a comfortable spot, either sitting or lying down, and bringing all your focus onto your breath, taking the air into your body as deeply as possible without forcing it. Breathe in for five and out for five – at first, you may not be able to get to five, and that’s ok.
Keep all your thoughts on your breath, and gently bring your attention back to this if you find it wandering, without judgment, or engaging with these thoughts. Do this for about five minutes. This is a great way to provide immediate stress relief if you need it.
Enjoy Healthy Habits as a Family
In times of stress, it can be tempting to turn to unhealthy habits to provide relief or distraction, such as alcohol, drugs, or comfort food.
Instead, work on fostering healthy habits as a family. As well as eating together as often as possible, as discussed above, try to build some fun activities into your family schedule, too: how about hitting the pool for an evening swim one night a week together or gathering in the living room for a fun dance competition?
The feel-good endorphins released through exercise are excellent stress-busters, and the special family time will also add to the happy feels.
Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep can have a profound effect on our physical and mental health: experts recognize that most people need around eight hours of sleep a night and, if they regularly fall short of this quote, are much more susceptible to feeling anxiety, stress, and other issues.
If stress makes this problematic, try meditating or practicing yoga before bedtime to help calm a racing mind. Lavender mist sprayed on the pillow and ensuring that you don’t access blue-light-emitting devices at least a few hours before turning in for the night can also be very helpful.
The Importance of Seeking Help
Stress can be tough to live with and can significantly impact the lives of those suffering from it. If you are feeling stressed or struggling with other mental health issues, it’s vital to seek support that’ll get you back on track as soon as possible.
Stress often affects family life, so couples counseling or family therapy are available for those who require additional support in this area. A Kind Place provides anxiety and stress therapy for individuals in Singapore who are interested in dealing with the stress in their lives. A professional can help individuals develop plans of action for avoiding stressful triggers and improving relationships with loved ones.
Speak with your doctor or other healthcare professional about how you feel so that you can access the support you deserve.
Conclusion
In conclusion, stress can take a toll on a person’s relationships and home life if it is not managed properly. Unaddressed stress can lead to physical, mental, and emotional health issues. It is important to take steps to identify the sources of stress in your life and develop effective coping mechanisms for dealing with them. Finding activities that are rewarding and enjoyable can help reduce feelings of stress, as well as establishing healthy communication with family members and friends. Proper management of stress can help you enjoy a more positive home life, strong relationships, and improved overall well-being.