Please verify your email address to receive email notifications.

Enter your email address

We have sent you a verification email. Please check your inbox and spam folder.

Unable to send verification, please refresh and try again later.

  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are the best ways to deal with stress?

    Related Topics
    Mental Health Stress Management
    answer this question

  • Find a professional to answer your question

  • Lifeline

    Lifeline is a national charity delivering 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services to all Australians. Lifeline connects people to a broad range of national … View Profile

    Maintain mental and physical wellbeing
    It is important to look after our mental well being and physical health. Physical and mental wellbeing helps us come through a period of stress. Key ways to support physical and mental well being are:

    • Regular exercise, even a short walk or swim;
    • Good diet, and avoidance of stimulates like caffeine and sugar;
    • Adequate hours and quality of sleep.

    Take charge and make a plan
    Attempting to solve the problem or tackle the entire challenge when feeling highly stressed may not be a good idea. Taking time to reflect, prepare a plan of action and seek the support of others will enable more effective responses to be taken. Some useful steps are:
    • Write down the problem to clarify the situation;
    • Examine how you feel about the problem, i.e. the emotional response you have
    • Identify some options or alternatives, even those that seem unworkable
    • Assess what action is possible and best matches your personal objectives
    • Talk through with someone you trust to get a more independent opinion.
     
    Stress management
    Stress management is a way of anticipating those issues that trigger a stress response –actively seeking to put in place protective mechanisms so that stress is minimized. Stress management can include:
    • Moderating lifestyle and expectations to a more sustainable level e.g. reduce unnecessary commitments and be realistic about what you can achieve
    • Relaxation and self-awareness programs or activities e.g. meditation
    • Participation in activities that you enjoy – hobbies, socialising, sports, etc.
    • Developing ways of focusing on the immediate things that need to be done, such as what action needs to be taken by tomorrow, or to make an appointment to see someone.
     
    Get support 
    A key technique for responding to periods of high stress is to draw on support from others – friends, family, colleagues, sporting team members. Tell people you trust that you are going through a tough time; talking with others about things can help.
     
    If you feel you have no one else to talk to and stress is becoming harmful or unmanageable, consider calling a helpline such as Lifeline 13 11 14, or seek professional supportfrom a counsellor or your GP.

    Reply to this post
     · 
    Report
    Reply to this post

    You must be a Health Professional to reply to this post. to your account or now (it's free).

answer this question

You must be a Health Professional to answer this question. Log in or Sign up .

You may also like these related questions

Related Fact Sheets
Related Questions

Empowering Australians to make better health choices