Managing Stress

We are all dealing with some additional level of stress at the moment and I wanted to take a minute in today’s article to remind you that as Sydney J. Harris said “The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.”

Whether it is getting back to working, commuting, being around other people again there are lots of little changes in our lives over the last few weeks that are all a little stressful – even if it is positive change that we have been waiting for.

Allow yourself some time to adapt to each different change and see how you are doing.  Take the time to check in with yourself regularly. Remember “It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.” – Hans Selye.

Also remind yourself that it is okay to take a step backwards when you need to and to make each change at your own pace.  Every one of us is different and going to deal with these stresses differently.  Do not be afraid to reengage with the world at your own pace, your mental health is your greatest resource at the moment, do not let rushing into something damage it.

Finally know that there is no perfect way to deal with the current situation we are all just doing our best under difficult circumstances, with changing information and rules so do what you can for yourself and those you care about and let the rest just be.  “The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” (Elbert Hubbard)