Support for Stress Management
May is the month to talk about support for stress management because it’s Mental Health Month. Let’s discuss how family and friends can help.
May is Mental Health Month
All month long, we’ve been talking about Stress! Stress sucks and we need to be able to manage stress because stress is a part of life. The better we understand it, the better we can manage it and have more balanced lives. There are physical signs of stress like sweating and chest pain as well as cognitive such as lack of concentration and an inability to make decisions. Whatever stress signals you have, it’s important to recognize them so that you can do something about it.
Social support stress
Obviously, getting the support you need when you are going through stress will be very important. There are stress support groups you can look for, but you can also reach out to family members and friends.
Personal support
If you see someone you care about in a stressful situation and they are having a hard time with it, what can you do to help? Here are my top 6 ways to support for stress management.
- At the top of the list is listening. Really hear what they are telling you. Let them talk.
- Spend time with them. Sit down, have a cup of coffee, or take a walk.
- Offer reassurance and let them know you are there for them.
- Help with daily tasks – many times, during stressful situations, it’s hard to get things done. Help with cleaning, cooking, or family needs.
- Allow alone time – even when we need support, it’s also important to get some alone time. Make sure you aren’t crowding them.
- No judgment – what someone is going through is personal and it’s not up to anyone else to judge it.
Support for stress management
We all need support for stress management – we can’t do it alone – and we have to feel safe in order to work through the issue. Stress can lead to depression and anxiety. Mental health is important so that we can all live happy and healthy lives.
