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TOP 10 STRESS BUSTERS

Staying home can be exciting and challenging at the same time, especially when you are also dealing with an additional stressor – Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Here are a few pointers that will help you manage stress better. You may have to adapt them to suit your overall personality, your likes and dislikes and your culture.

Negative thoughts can be the ultimate recipe for stress.

Switch from: “I’m stuck”

Switch to: “This is the time to focus on myself”

1 Reframe your thoughts1

Exercising can lift up your spirits while being a fun family activity too.

2 Make time to exercise1

Structuring your day makes you more efficient, allowing you time between work and home activities

3 Create a ‘new normal’

Reframe

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4 Journaling2

Writing down your thoughts in a journal is a proven stress buster.

Physically throwing out the paper you’ve written in also helps!

5 Listen to music3

Music helps reduce your body’s response to stress.

Listen to your favourite tracks or play an instrument to ward off the stress.

6 Spend time with your family1

Quality time spent with the ones you love is the best way to reconnect and reduce stress.

Playing board games, cooking and household chores are great stress busters.

7 Try something new

Develop a new hobby.

Creativity helps improve your mood.

8 Help others

Making a positive difference in people’s lives will help you feel good about yourself.

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Acceptance that anxiety and stress is normal is the key to being stress free. Let go of the illusion of control, build up your new normal and look

to the future with hope.

9 Identify your most important connections4

Your vital connections are people who are essential to keep you physically and mentally well. They may include your family, friends and doctors.

Knowing that they will be there when you reach out to them works wonders.

10 Be ‘virtually’ social1

Being connected to others reduces stress and loneliness.

Arrange online get-togethers with family and friends.

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References:

1. WebMD.How to Handle Coronavirus Isolation and Anxiety. Available [Online] at: https://www.webmd.com/lung/handle-isolation-and-anxiety#1. Accessed on 15 April 20202. MSU extension. Journaling to reduce stress. Available [Online] at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/journaling_to_reduce_stress. Accessed on 15th April 20203. Thoma MV, et al. PLoS ONE 8(8):e70156. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.00701564. AGS. 12 Ways To Ease Isolation While You’re Practicing Social Distancing. Available [Online] at: https://www.healthinaging.org/blog/12-ways-to-ease- isolation-while-youre-practicing-social-distancing/. Accessed on 9 April 2020

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