Emotional First Aid Kit-Stress – Side effects & Stress management

Prepared by: Grace

What is it?

  • The brain and body’s response to events, demands, and threats.
    • Events
      • Life events – activities related to job or studies to be done quick before a deadline, loss of job, getting married, marital separation/break up, and loss of a loved person.
    • Demands
      • Work and education demand, Increase in financial obligations. Moving to a new home.
    • Threats
      • Threats to safety and health – Chronic illness or injury.

Side Effects

  • Disrupts daily routines
  • Symptoms can be physical and/or emotional/mental
    • Physical
      • Muscle Tension, Aches, Pains
      • Teeth Grinding
      • Abnormal bowel activity
      • Acidity
      • Skin Rashes
      • Fatigue
        • Feeling overtired and low energy often interferes with normal daily activities.
      • Headaches
        • Usually occurs when neck and scalp muscles become tense/contract general
      • Anger
        • a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility towards people or events
      • Apathy
        • lack of emotions, being indifferent
      • Irritability
        • frustrated or upset easily
      • Depression
        • persistent feeling of sadness, can result in apathy/loss of interest
        • Often interferes with daily activities
      • Restlessness
        • Inability to relax, often a result of anxiety
      • Lack of motivation and focus
      • Impulse decisions

Stress Management

  • Change in perspective
    • Not focusing on problems but focusing on possibilities
    • Building of positive attitude : everything happening is for good and nothing is impossible through God
  • Self Care 
    • A healthy routine to complete tasks + time for self
      • Time for self
        • Candles – Aromatherapy
        • Bath – Relax muscles
        • Cooking/Baking
        • Movies/TV Shows
        • Cleaning – Clean environment often relaxes the mind
        • Arts and Crafts
      • Meditation – Calming emotionally and physically
      • Music – Therapeutic, can often put emotions into words/perspective
      • Exercise – More Endorphins!
      • Healthy Diet – Fruits and Vegetables
      • Regulate Sleep Schedule – 8 hours standard, allows the body to rest and repair itself
      • Talking to people you trust – Acknowledging what you feel and accepting it