Thanks for stopping by, since the release of this blog we recently had International Stress Awareness Week 2019.  I wanted to write something up during that week, but unfortunately I missed the boat, I guess I have been so busy.  Still, unpaid carers suffer from a lot of stress and I still want to highlight such an important issue.

What is International Stress Awareness Week?

Promoted by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA), although many other mental health organisations are free to promote it. The International Stress Management Association [ISMAUK] is a registered charity and the lead professional body for workplace and personal Stress Management, Well-being and on Performance. They usually promote sound knowledge and best practice.

International Stress Awareness Week usually runs from Monday 4 – Friday 9 November.

The theme I think for national Stress awareness week is “Resilience” which is defined as how we deal with and recover from highly pressured or stressful situations and experiences. Off my video I talk about finding resilience in great detail. So please have a watch when you can.

I have noticed a lot of mental health organisations promote how stress can effect the workplace.

Just to note, I have done a lengthy video blog on the affects of stress and how it impacts not just carers, but everyone, to view press the video below.

Every year, in the UK an estimated 17 million days are lost to stress, anxiety and depression.

Some Facts about stress

Stress is the feeling of being unable to cope as a result of too much mental or emotional pressure.

Common signs of stress can include sleeping problems, loss of appetite and difficulty concentrating. You may feel anxious, irritable, experience rapid thoughts and worry constantly.

Here are some quick facts, but to hear more about them, please check out my video.

1. Long-term stress can increase your risk of mental health disabilities
2. Frequent stress decreases your immune system
3. Relationships play a key role in your daily stress levels
4. The right amount of stress is beneficial, but too much is deadly.

Stress and unpaid carers

As you probably already know, I am an unpaid carer and have suffered a lot of stress in the past, even now I admit sometimes stress gets the better of me.  Sometimes that is ok, but allowing stress to consume you can have devastating side effects.

I have provided a list below on how unpaid carers can suffer from stress, take note that the things mentioned are not comprehensive, but at least the most common.

1. Being overloaded in providing care can cause all sorts of stress
2. As mentioned before relationships with the ‘cared for’ can also be stressful
3. A major form of stress is the health or declining health of a ‘loved one’
4. Sometimes carers have to hold down a job, if caring becomes too much, then work performance can suffer.
5. Financial issues can be an extra form of stress for unpaid carers coping with lack of support.
6. If caring becomes difficult, this can affect sleep and eating habits, these are very stress inducing.

How does stress affect us?

Just to note, stress affects people differently, what happens to one person might not happen to another.

1. Our emotional behaviour changes, it is easier to become irritable, sad and depressed.
2. You can also feel very hot and sweat when suffering stress
3. Constant stress can also affect the body in many ways including headaches, stomach issues and blood pressure.
4. Stress can certainly affect your breathing as many begin to breath faster as their heart beat increases.

Dealing with Stress to find Resilience

Below I have listed things that can help you find resilience in combating stress.  For more information, please check out the video.

• Breathe.
• Dance.
• Give yourself enough time to do things, planing can go a long way.
• Go for a walk in the park.
• Go swimming.
• Jog or find other ways to do some exercise
• Laugh
• Listen to music.
• Meditate.
• Pet therapy can be useful. Connecting with pets.
• Read.
• ** Recognize the Signs (number one rule).
• Stay Connected with others
• Talk to Your Doctor or Health Care Provider
• Take a yoga class, or give yourself one.
• Take warm, relaxing baths.
• Watch television.
• Water and admire your plants.

Conclusion

It is important to look after your health, especially if someone is relying on you. If you do not recognise or deal with stress levels, then stress will deal with you. Your health will become a major factor in supporting others, let alone yourself. Find out more about stress by visiting the ISMA site on https://www.isma.org.uk/