What is Stress
Stress is primarily a physical response. When stressed, the body thinks it is under attack and switches to ‘fight or flight’ mode, releasing a complex mix of hormones and chemicals such as adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine to prepare the body for physical action. This causes a number of reactions, from blood being diverted to muscles to shutting down unnecessary bodily functions such as digestion.
Through the release of hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine, the caveman gained a rush of energy, which prepared him to either fight the tiger or run away. That heart pounding, fast breathing sensation is the adrenaline; as well as a boost of energy, it enables us to focus our attention so we can quickly respond to the situatio
In the modern world, the ‘fight or flight’ mode can still help us survive dangerous situations, such as reacting swiftly to a person running in front of our car by slamming on the brakes.
The challenge is when our body goes into a state of stress in inappropriate situations. When blood flow is going only to the most important muscles needed to fight or flee, brain function is minimised. This can lead to an inability to ‘think straight’; a state that is a great hindrance in both our work and home lives. If we are kept in a state of stress for long periods, it can be detrimental to our health. The results of having elevated cortisol levels can be an increase in sugar and blood pressure levels, and a decrease in libido.
Stress Awareness Month April 2024
April is Stress Awareness Month. For Stress Awareness Month 2024, The Stress Management Society, want to emphasise how even the smallest steps taken each day towards self-care and stress reduction can yield significant improvements in mental health over time.
They encourage you to focus on making manageable adjustments to your daily routine. While the impact of small actions on their own may seem little, the cumulative effects of these habits can end up being profound!
We have discussed how these actions can make significant changes to your mental health in previous newsletters.
Think of it like building a house – laying down a single brick may not seem significant. You might start small e.g., taking deep breaths during a stressful moment, or writing down one thing you’re grateful for each day.
These actions may seem small but they serve as the foundation of your mental wellbeing. As you continue to add more brick, your mental health house begins to take shape. Each brick represents a conscious choice to prioritize and build your mental health and resilience. They all add strength and stability, making you more resilient to the challenges that life brings.
Overtime, the accumulation of these small consistent efforts leads to a remarkable outcome!
Taken from Stress.org.uk
So here’s the challenge!! What action can you take over April, just one action, one change which you can stick to for 30 days to explore how that action, can change your mental wellbeing for the positive. Join the Stress Management Society for the April Challenge.
Neurodiversity Awareness Training
You can now book through our website for the Neurodiversity Awareness Training. The price for this training is £150 (plus VAT) per delegate and the training will be online. We currently have two courses scheduled on the 3rd May and 5th June. The course is 4 hours. This course is is proving to be very popular so please contact us quickly to book your place.
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training course which teaches people how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue.
MHFA won’t teach you to be a therapist, but it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis – and even potentially stop a crisis from happening.
You’ll learn to recognise warning signs of mental ill health and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone while keeping yourself safe.
You’ll also learn how to empower someone to access the support they might need for recovery or successful management of symptoms. This could include self-help books or websites, accessing therapy services through their GP, their school or place of work, online self-referral, support groups, and more.
What’s more, you’ll gain an understanding of how to support positive wellbeing and tackle stigma in the world around you
For further inquiries, company group training or mental health consultancy please do not hesitate to get in touch at info@sanitashub.co.uk
Booking a Mental Health Wellbeing Course with Sanitas Hub
Mental Health Consultancy in the Workplace
