How Stress Management Techniques Can Improve Your Life.

There are plenty of things in life that can cause us stress, from work deadlines and bill payments to moving to a new house and family commitments. What makes us stressed is dependent on our personality and our environments, and while we may not be able to eliminate stress from our lives entirely, we can adopt stress management techniques that will help us live a calmer and more content life. 

The fact of the matter is, if you experience high levels of stress on a frequent basis, you will not only be damaging your mental wellbeing, but your physical health too. There are moments in our lives that we cannot run away from, but by learning how to manage stress, you can make those moments easier to handle. 

If you are someone who struggles when it comes to managing stress and anxiety, or you are keen to embark on a career that focuses on helping others develop stress management techniques, continue reading. We have gathered an array of tips, as well as highlighted a handful of online courses that will give you a solid understanding of stress and how to manage it. 

 

 

 

What is Stress

 

Stress does not come with a medical definition as there is no set way of defining it. This is because feeling stressed is experienced differently for each individual person. Generally, though, the feeling of stress can be caused by situations or moments that put pressure on us. For example, if you have a lengthy to-do list to get through. Or you are waiting on a test result or news about a loved one’s health. 

Stress is also a reaction to being placed under pressure. For example, if you are given an urgent task at the end of your workday and there is a lot involved, you may feel stressed. Some may wonder if stress is related to mental health issues, and while stress isn’t a psychiatric condition, managing stress and anxiety is important for your mental health. 

Anyone who already suffers with anxiety or depression may experience a more intense struggle due to bouts of stress. Highly stressful situations can also lead to mental health problems, making techniques and stress management activities that much more important.  

On the other end of the spectrum, existing mental health issues can cause stress within some individuals. If you are taking medication, undergoing therapy, and are generally struggling to cope with your mental health issue on a day-to-day basis, you may experience feelings of stress. 

Given the effect stress can have on our mental wellbeing, it is crucial that we learn how to manage stress so that we can live more harmonious lives. Not only that, but stress can manifest itself physically through headaches, stomach pains and skin breakouts. 

There are various signs of stress that you should be aware of, including the following: 

• Trouble sleeping 
• Feeling irritable 
• Getting frustrated easily 
• Losing weight 
• Being self-deprecating 
• Feeling anxious or panicked 
• Undereating or overeating 

What is Stress Management?

Stress management is a collection of techniques and strategies designed to help an individual cope with a stressful situation or deal with a state of feeling stressed. There is no ‘one size fits all’ policy when it comes to stress management techniques as we all handle events and moments of stress differently. 

What’s important is learning what works best for you when managing stress and anxiety. There are a range of techniques and stress management activities that we will go on to explore. We will also provide a snapshot of online courses, explaining why a stress management course could benefit you greatly. 

 

 

How to Manage Stress 

It can be difficult to judge what works best when managing stress and anxiety if this is the first time you are learning how to manage stress. The best advice is to try out various techniques and activities to discover what reduces your symptoms and helps you handle stress-inducing situations. There are some general tips that you may want to try, including: 

• Healthy eating 
• Deep breathing 
• Opening up to someone you trust about any problems or issues 
• Removing the triggers you’re aware of 
• Making time to relax 
• Prioritising and organising your tasks 

What are the Techniques of Stress Management? 

As well as the list above, there are plenty of other stress management techniques that you can adopt in your everyday life to reduce stress. The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) recommends 10 techniques that are helpful in learning how to manage stress. We have outlined them below: 

1. Exercise – Exercising doesn’t mean you have to start training for a marathon, just some physical activity can help alleviate stress. Many of us experience emotional responses when we feel bouts of stress, and doing something active can reduce the intensity 
2. Regain control – When we allow ourselves to spiral, it seems that there is no hope. By reaching this point, stress will continue to get worse, but by taking control of your situation and your mind, you will be better at managing stress and anxiety 
3. Focus on you – Many stressful situations come from stress at work or situations where others are depending on you. This can get overwhelming, so it is important to set aside some time for yourself, doing things that you enjoy 
4. Seek support from loved ones – One of the most important things to remember when learning how to manage stress is that you should seek support. Connecting with your friends and family in times of difficulty is crucial in managing stress and anxiety 
5. Set a new goal – One of the most effective stress management techniques is setting an achievable goal, and it doesn’t matter how big or small the challenge is. By focusing on this and eventually achieving it, you will grow in confidence and become more resilient when dealing with stressful situations 
6. Help others – Volunteering in the community or doing charity work will open your eyes to other people’s situations, putting yours in perspective. This is one of the stress management activities that benefits others and yourself 
7. Cut down on unhealthy habits – It is no secret that some individuals turn to smoking or alcohol to calm down their anxieties, but these approaches are not helpful stress management techniques. If anything, they are temporary fixes that mask the real problem 
8. Accept what cannot be changed – Many of us feel stressed about situations that are entirely out of our hands. In these situations, it is best to think logically. If you are unable to change the outcome of a situation, then why spend time worrying and feeling stressed about it 
9. Prioritise – If life is getting overwhelming, it is time to be selective in what you concentrate on. Prioritise the tasks that are meaningful and important rather than try to give everything on your to-do list equal attention at the same time 
10. Stay positive – It is easier said than done but having a positive attitude will do wonders for your feelings of stress. Adopting a positive attitude is a great way of managing stress and anxiety 

 

 

Enrol on a Stress Management Course 

There are various tips and tricks that can help you learn how to manage stress, but you can delve into the core principles and intricacies through a stress management course. While stressful situations can be fleeting for most people, some live with chronic stress that can manifest itself physically in the body. 

By studying this, you can educate yourself on the symptoms and causes. Moreover, if you are keen to embark on a career that focuses on providing clients with stress management techniques, then we have a range of courses to suit. We have selected a handful from our portfolio below: 

Stress Management 

Our Stress Management – Advanced course explores stress disorders and chronic stress. Through your studies, you will be able to identify stress responses and how they can affect a person physiologically. Nutrition, exercise, and sleep are all crucial in managing stress and anxiety, and you will learn the fundamentals, such as these, during the course.  

Stress Management Coaching and Consultancy 

The Level 4 Stress Management Coaching and Consultancy Professional (Advanced) course is designed for individuals hoping to work in this sector. For example, if you are interested in becoming a Stress Management Consultant or a Stress Management Trainer, this course will give you a taste of what’s in store for your career. 

The course, which adheres to the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for therapies in stress management work, will explore counselling skills, life coaching, and various theories, including psychodynamic and humanistic.  

Counselling for Work Stress 

If you are a trained Counsellor looking to add a string to your bow, then consider our Stress Counselling in the Workplace course. This is ideal if you are wondering whether this strand of counselling is for you. Stress at work is something that many professionals experience, and with appropriate training, you could help provide stress management techniques to businesses up and down the country. 

The course covers the relationship between the company and an employee and how training programmes can help in managing stress and anxiety in the workplace. You will also cover substance abuse in the workplace and other effects of stress on workers. 

Benefits of Distance Learning 

Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the UK’s leading distance learning providers, helping thousands of learners realise their potential, learn a new skill, or kickstart a career. If you are someone who wants to learn how to manage stress for your own benefit or from a professional standpoint, then we will have a stress management course that suits. 

As well as providing you with the knowledge, skills, and techniques you need, our courses are delivered online, which means that you can complete them from the comfort of your own home. Long gone are the traditions of classroom learning! Instead, you can enrol on a stress management course online and complete it at your own pace. 

Our digital solutions are ideal for individuals who have young children to care for or those who work full-time. You can tailor your study schedule around your daily routine, never neglecting an existing commitment! What’s more, the stress management courses we have highlighted can be completed without you having to do an exam. Instead, you simply complete a question paper for each unit covered. 

By studying with Stonebridge Associated Colleges, you get the benefit of the following: 

• Flexible learning – Study at your own pace and at your own time, without deadlines and traditional learning restrictions 
• Study anywhere – As long as you have a laptop or a computer and a stable internet connection, you can complete your stress management course anywhere! 
• 24/7 access – As soon as you enrol, you will be given instant access to all the course materials you need online for the duration of your studying 
• Online platform – Our industry-leading online platform will store everything you need all in one place. Simply log in to our student portal and get learning! 

 

 

What are the Benefits of Managing Stress? 

The obvious benefit of implementing stress management techniques is to reduce the level of stress you’re feeling. By adopting these methods, you will learn how to manage stress more effectively, but it will also benefit you in other ways. For example, managing stress and anxiety can result in the following: 

• Better sleep 
• Less muscle tensions 
• Elevated mood 
• Improved relationships with colleagues/family/friends 

Study Your Way to a Stress-Free Life! 

If you want to learn stress management techniques and how to manage stress so that you live a more balanced life, then you can study a range of stress management techniques through our regulated courses. To learn more about the options available to you, speak to one of our Course Executives by calling 0121 392 8288 or contact us online.