5 ways to de-stress your life
Expert psychotherapist, Mr Alan Dovey, advises Medstars on how best to reduce our stress response and manage our emotions in stressful situations. Take it away Alan…
“As a psychotherapist who has worked in mental health for 30 years I cannot emphasise enough the importance of early intervention. Speak to family and friends if you are struggling with anxiety (stress response) and depression (usually driven by loss).”
The stress response system is driven by perceived “threat” i.e worry. By sharing worries with people close to you it is possible to get a more balanced perspective. Often internal thoughts grow more distressing the more we think about them. When we externalise thoughts (talking) the thoughts lose their “power” and “meaning” and lower our anxiety. So the saying “a problem shared is a problem halved” actually has some scientific evidence behind it!
Additionally, neuroscientist, John Arden, author of The Brain Bible (2014) uses the acronym SEEDS and my clients find this very helpful:
SEEDS
S=Sleep
This is a basic human need and Matthew Walker, Professor of Sleep at Harvard University and author of Why We Sleep (2017), cannot emphasise enough the benefit of sleep for our mental well-being. You can read Medstars’ review of Why We Sleep, here.
E=Exercise
Regular activity helps to balance our autonomic nervous system and lower the fight/flight response. This does not have to be intensive exercise but can be 30-40 minutes of brisk walking 3-4 times weekly.
E=Education.
The brain needs stimulus for growth! Lifelong learning enables the brain to grow and focus rather than focusing on things often outside of our control. Learning does not have to be a formal course but can include visiting new places and reading interesting books.
D=Diet
This is a growing area of research and we are now learning that the brain responds better to a healthy diet. A healthy diet improves our energy levels which are lowered in times of stress.
S= Social Contact
Research into emotional resilience points to social and family contact as making up 50% of our ability to bounce back from adverse/stressful life events.”
You can book a consultation in Birmingham with Mr Alan Dovey, who has specific expertise in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and occupational psychotherapy, here.
Medstars Medical Concierge Service
Looking for extra guidance when it comes to your healthcare? Sometimes interpreting medical information and making the best decisions can be daunting and complicated. Our private medical concierge service provides easy access to top UK health experts. We guide our patients with genuine choice and trust, offering a bespoke service for anyone in the world seeking private UK healthcare. Learn more about Medstars Medical Concierge Service. Want to learn more about providing our medical concierge service as an employee benefit? Learn more about Medstars Medical Concierge for Business.