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| Ever decreasing circles: The mouse keeps going but never gets anywhere. |
Stress from busy lives can crash in on us and start affecting us in sometimes serious ways when we least expect it because we are often just too involved to recognise the signs.
So how do we stop that ‘mouse on a treadmill’ situation and give ourselves a real break?
New Zealand-based creative arts therapist and counsellor Josie Scott has some useful tips on how to slow down and ‘smell the roses’ a bit.
Q: How does taking a break from your job help to cut stress?
A: It helps me by stepping back, gaining new perspective, re-fuelling and therefore topping up my energy tank.
Q: What dangers are there in not taking a break?
A: Burnout! Becoming resentful, not enjoying what I'm doing workwise, and becoming over-tired and frustrated.
Q: What effects can it have on the mental health if people don’t stop and recharge the batteries – emotionally and physically?
A: Emotionally - tearful, anxious/worried, low (at worse depressed). Physically - run down, more prone to illness, lack of sleep.
Q: Once people are back at work, how can they keep control of their stress levels?
A: Good self-care, well balanced diet, rest, exercise, regular time-out, have fun!
Q: What kind of exercises can people do to relieve work stress, or any stress?
A: Yoga, walking, gym, running, breathing.
Q: If people can’t go on an overseas holiday, what kind of activities besides meditation can they do at home?
A: Anything creative; making music, listening to music, reading for relaxation, walking, breathing, fun time with family/friends, visual art, gardening, cooking, walk the dog – the list is endless!
Q: What kind of help is there for people who suffer from high stress?
A: GP, counselling/therapy, community groups, friends/family.
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