Earlier this month, Mental Health Awareness Week took place, focusing on the theme of stress. Many of us have been exploring how stress affects us and how we can cope with daily pressures.

This year, the Mental Health Foundation encouraged many businesses, organisations and individuals to look at the importance of our mental wellbeing and mindfulness. However large or small the strains may be, increased stress levels can have a long-term effect on our overall wellbeing, both mentally and physically.

For care workers providing regular support to those most in need, certain tasks can bring on emotional and physical strains. That’s why it’s important to stay on top of your mental health, so as not to affect the quality of service you provide to those in your care.

Advice for staying stress-free

It’s useful to recognise whenever you may start feeling stressed and how it affects you personally. This way you can use various coping strategies to combat those negative effects as early as possible.

One of the major causes of stress can come from a sense of hopelessness or feeling as though you lack control over given situations. In times when caring for someone with an illness or coping with the pressure of a certain task feels quite overwhelming, it’s vital to maintain a calm and positive attitude.

Try treating even the smallest of completed tasks as a significant victory. Whether it’s a spot of cleaning up or helping someone to get dressed, achieving something manageable but purposeful can help you to break down your day into a series of triumphs and increase your happiness levels over time.

We know the life of a care worker can be extremely demanding at times, making it all the more important to set aside time to rest. However you decide to relax, you should aim for about 30 minutes of non-essential activity at least twice a day to take the strain off and recharge your batteries.

Using some of these strategies can help you to begin managing your stress levels. That way, you can find the right balance between how you care for someone vulnerable and how you care for yourself. Developing your ability to handle everyday pressures and looking after your own mental health can also help improve your approach to care in the long run.