Most people feel stressed sometimes and some people find stress helpful or even motivating. But if stress is affecting your life, there are things you can try that may help.
If you are stressed, you may:
- feel overwhelmed
- have racing thoughts or difficulty concentrating
- be irritable
- feel constantly worries, anxious or scared
- feel a lack of self-confidence
- have trouble sleeping or feel tired all the time
- avoid things or people you are having problems with
- be eating more or less than usual
- drink or smoke more than usual
Watch the video below for some top tips to help you deal with stress and burnout.
Tips to help you deal with stress and burnout
Everyone gets stressed at times but there are plenty of things you can do to help cope with stressful events and simple steps you can take to deal with feelings of stress or burnout.
Here are six top tips to help you deal with stress and burnout.
Split up big tasks
If a task seems overwhelming and difficult to start try breaking it down into easier chunks and give yourself credit for completing them.
Allow yourself some positivity
Take time to think about the good things in your life.
Each day consider what went well and try to list three things you’re thankful for.
Challenge your thoughts
The way we think affects the way we feel.
If you always approach things in a negative way, ask yourself why.
Could you think about things more positively?
Be more active
Being more active can help you to burn off nervous energy.
It will not make your stress disappear, but it can make it less intense.
Even a brisk walk around the block will help.
Plan ahead
Plan any upcoming stressful days or events.
Create a to-do list, plan the journey you need to take, and organise the things you need to take.
These can all really help.
Talk to someone
It’s important to talk to trusted friends, family, and colleagues, or contacting a helpline can help you when you’re struggling.
All these tips should help reduce your stress, but if you’ve been experiencing stress for some time and it’s affecting your daily life or causing you distress, you should consider seeking further support.
If stress is affecting your daily life or causing you distress, call NHS 111, talk to your GP or refer yourself to our local talking therapies (IAPT) service.
Find out more about talking therapiesUrgent help
If you cannot wait to see a doctor and feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, it’s important to get support.