Stress Management | Self-Care

Stress is something that affects us all. Some people cope better than others in stressful situations, but that doesn’t mean that your problems are less valid. If you imagine everyone has a bucket for dealing with stressful situations: everyone’s bucket is unique to them, and some people’s buckets are larger than others.  

Each time a stressful situation enters your life, it enters your bucket. If stressful situations keep coming into your life, they keep adding to your bucket, and if there are too many stressful situations for the size of your bucket, your bucket will overspill with stressful situations, which means you will be stressed, have an unhealthy mindset, and won’t perform to the best of your ability.  

This is why coping mechanisms matter. Think of your coping mechanisms, or anti-stress activities, as holes which puncture your bucket. The holes act as drainage for the stressful situations in your bucket. The more coping mechanisms you have, the more holes you have, meaning your bucket is less likely to overspill.  

Some of the many coping mechanisms or anti-stress activities could be: 

  • Engaging in society or club activities 
  • Exercising regularly: this could be through walking, or even going to the gym – just whatever you’re most comfortable with and will enjoy.  
  • Meditating  
  • Reading  

Keeping yourself well is extremely important. Coping mechanisms can help to remove yourself from stressful situations, helping you to relax and recharge. If the stress that you are feeling starts to seriously impact aspects of your life, limiting your ability to do daily tasks, go and see your GP.  

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