By Arowoogun Abiola
In the midst of the current economic upheavals in the country, it is not unexpected that mental stress may set in for some people, As the economic stress may likely cause distress.
According to World Health Organiation, Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree.
Stress affect mental wellbeing of an individual, the reason we have brought you tips on how to avoid (mental) stress and how to maintain a good mental wellbeing
1. Connect with other people
It has been established by (clinical) psychologists that good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing as they can:
- help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth
- give you an opportunity to share positive experiences
- provide emotional support and allow you to support others
It is then necessary to build good relationships with people around us. It is important we take time to be with family, friends. We can switch off the TV set for some hours to talk to or play games with spouse, children and friends. We can also arrange launch with colleagues. We can as well make the best use of communication technology to stay in touch with friends and family when physical contact is made impossible by factors like distance.
2. Be physically active
Being active is great for our physical health and fitness. Being active simply means getting ourselves involved in physical activities like exercise, home chores, gardening, sight-seeing etc. Evidence shows it can improve our mental wellbeing as it:
- raises self-esteem
- helps to set goals or challenges and achieve them
- causes chemical changes in the brain which can help to positively change mood
A way taking a walk
3. Learn new skills
Research shows that learning new skills can also improve mental wellbeing by:
- boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem
- helping you to build a sense of purpose
- helping you to connect with others
Even if you feel like you do not have enough time, or you may not need to learn new things, there are lots of different ways to bring learning into your life.
Some of the things you could try include:
- try learning to cook something new.
- try taking on a new responsibility at work, such as mentoring a junior staff member or improving your presentation skills
- consider signing up for a course at a local college. You could try learning a new language or a practical skill such as tailoring etc
- try new hobbies that challenge you, such as writing a blog, taking up a new sport or learning to paint.
do not feel you have to learn new qualifications or sit exams if this does not interest you. It's best to find activities you enjoy and make them a part of your life
4. Give to others
Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by:
- creating positive feelings and a sense of reward
- giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth
- helping you connect with other people
It could be small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones like volunteering in your local community.
Some examples of the things you could try include:
- saying thank you to someone for something they have done for you
- asking friends, family or colleagues how they are and really listening to their answer
- spending time with friends or relatives who need support or company
- volunteering in your community, such as helping at a school, hospital or care home
Photo Credit: Christain Aid in Nigeria
5. Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)
Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.
Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
Photo Credit: Istock pictures