[Positive]

I would say that one of the main things that makes mental health worse is stress.

Here's a link some people might find useful:-

http://www.nhs.uk/Li...essbusters.aspx

[ChrisB]

Thanks for the link

[mias]

Had a quick loook. Thanks Positive.

Made me wonder. is 'worry' not worse than stress? Different or similar to each other?

[Positive]

mias, on 08 December 2011 - 01:26 PM, said:

Had a quick loook. Thanks Positive.

Made me wonder. is 'worry' not worse than stress? Different or similar to each other?

I think they come hand in hand.

A bit of stress and worry can be a good thing because it helps us survive and deal with situations, but when it engulfs us and takes over our lives then it becomes a problem.

[sweetpea]

I read a good article recently about tackling fear and anxiety (which are linked to worry and stress, I think). Here's the link: http://www.fionaharr...ar-and-anxiety/

I thought this part was particularly interesting:

"Science tells us that the brain has two parts.

One is the ‘thinking brain’, which works consciously, offering objective, thought-out, rational responses.
The other is the ‘emotional brain’, which controls your vital instincts, your fight or flight response. It developed to get you out of danger, fast – when faced with a hungry lion, there wasn’t time to ponder!
Your emotional brain is always on the lookout for danger and is ready to stimulate action before you consciously know anything about it. When you’re anxious, it’s this brain that’s triggered and emotional thinking may swamp your ability to think straight.

How do you get your thinking brain back in the loop?

First, understand the ability of your emotional brain to hijack you, and recognise the symptoms – in this thinking style, there are no in-betweens, you think in black and white, and you can come to extreme conclusions (that can be extremely unhelpful to you).
Second, get yourself out and do something that’s completely different and absorbing. This will help to switch off your red alert thinking, and let your more rational, objective thinking get back on board."

I wonder whether, if we can try to recognise that when we're stressed, we're probably thinking with our 'emotional brain' rather than our 'thinking brain', it could help to alleviate our stress? Worth a try anyway.

The other tips from the article are quite good too.

[mld]

I was at a training course at the weekend. SOmething that my husband wanted to do, and because I wanted to see him I also went to the course.

One thing they did was to draw a circle on the board. Inside this they wrote the words 'Comfort Zone'. They then drew a circle around the first one. In this they wrote anxiety. The woman said that if we want to grow our comfort zone we need to spend a little time in the anxiety circle, but then eventually our comfort zone grows. However, she drew another circle around the first two. In this she wrote 'Stress'. She said we can cope with stress for a short time, but it can't lead to an increase in our comfort zone as there is the anxiety zone in the way. And if we live for too long in the stress zone we end up with a breakdown.

Guess what, Psychosis came up and hit me when I lived in the stress zone. Break down inevitable. I think that this lady spoke the truth.

I hope you can envisage the three circles.

M.

[mias]

_{Yes, I can visualise those circles. Thanks mld . How are you?}

[mld]

Mias, I am fine. Having a really good time at the moment. Looking forwards to the future though this is only my maths A level and the Parish Walk 2012! Hope to get further than last year.

This weekend about coaching was excellent. It has made me think of goals for myself as well. Very good for controling your own mental health.

M.