FIND SOME HEAD SPACE

IDENTIFY and write down the specific stressors that cause you distress, says Dr Harry Barry, and identify how you feel emotionally about them. If you’re suffering from toxic stress, you will usually feel anxious, frustrated, angry or depressed.

Once you’ve written your stress list, number each item in order of importance. This will help to isolate and seek out practical solutions to each one individually.

If, for example, financial difficulties are top of your list, it might involve seeking out specific financial advice from Mabs or the Citizens Advice Bureau or other support group.

You might need to seek advice or support if your stress comes from personal relationships or family conflicts. Or perhaps it’s a case of discussing work difficulties with HR or management.

Tap into your network of support, whether that is family, friends, colleagues or even professionals such as a doctor or financial expert, to deal with any of the stressors uncovered. If you go through the list one by one and deal with your stressors, you may find your levels of toxic stress rapidly falling. There will, of course, be situations where there is nothing you can do at this moment in time. And hard as it sounds, this is where changing your thinking about such a stressor can be invaluable. You may need to accept a situation you cannot change and be adaptable and pragmatic in finding solutions to those that you can. If you are still struggling, despite doing all the above, it can be helpful to seek assistance from a good CBT therapist or counsellor who is expert at helping to change unhealthy thinking patterns and behaviours. Changing your negative behaviours and dealing with stressors in this manner can significantly reduce the symptoms and consequences of toxic stress, with significant benefits for your physical and mental health.