As the past few years have demonstrated, stress is unavoidable. We’ve faced a global pandemic, cost of living leaping to an all-time high and rent hikes increasing homelessness. On top of that you can throw in natural disasters like floods, cyclones and bushfires along with manmade tragedies like the war in Ukraine and the rate of veteran suicides doubling from the ‘norm’ following Australia’s withdrawal from our longest war. Stress is a common and normal physical response to challenging or new situations. While some stress can be beneficial, too much of it can be harmful. So now, more than ever, it’s important to understand stress and how we can manage it.
Government health services and universities across the globe generally agree on a variety of ways to cope with the adverse impacts of stress ranging from fatigue and worry, through to more severe issues such as burnout, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among these strategies are:
• Recognise and counter signs of stress• Join a support group• Avoid alcohol and drugs, including caffeine• Adjust• Practice relaxation techniques• Pursue outdoor activities and exercise• Confide in a person you trust• Spend time with positive people• Enjoy the peace of nature.
