It's National Stress Awareness Day and with more than a third of the population finding work their biggest worry*, here at learndirect we think we can help.
By breaking the 'worrying' habit you can move away from
focussing on the negatives. Worrying undermines your natural ability to
cope and most people admit it is completely ineffective. So what action
can you take to help yourself?
By gaining some relevant qualifications you could do your career a world of good. Brush up on your English or math skills, begin an NVQ or Learning through Work to gain a university level qualification.
So instead of stressing on a Sunday night about another manic Monday you can relax with the knowledge that you're climbing the career ladder.
There are even stress management courses you can access online, right now.
Stress Expert Ann McCracken, chair of International Stress Management Association, says, "Worry about work or personal life is insidious and is something we do to ourselves. Few people benefit from worry as it changes nothing and builds up anxiety and personal pressure".
*According to a BUPA survey (2006)
Five tips to reduce stress
- Positive thinking - ban the 'worry' word and use words like 'concern' and 'challenge' instead.
- Talk to friends - sharing with others will help you make sense of the problem and realise that it's manageable.
- Write it down - this will stop you repeating the same concern over and over in your thoughts.
- Relaxation - give yourself a timeout bubble everyday - anything that gives you 10 minutes to yourself to unwind.
- Get active - exercise is excellent as it changes the focus from the mind to the body, relieves tension and uses up the excess energy.