HEALTH MATTERS
THE month of April is Stress Awareness Month and the Stress Management Society is urging you to make some changes and deal with your stress.
According to the Mental Health Foundation 74 per cent of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.
Millions of us around the UK are experiencing high levels of stress currently and it’s damaging our health.
Stress is a big health challenge; especially with so many people now isolating but you are not alone.
Stress is a significant factor in mental health problems in anxiety and depression but it’s also linked to physical problems such as heart disease, problems with our immune system and digestive problems.
We need to understand what is causing our stress which could be a multitude of things.
Stress Management Society are running a 30 day challenge encouraging you to pick one action for your physical, mental and emotional well-being and complete one of these actions a day.
So why not take part: https://www.stress.org.u k/samresources2020/. What else can you do?
Talk about stress and it’s affects – let’s work together to reduce the stigma that is associated with stress by talking openly about it.
Share your coping mechanisms – if something’s worked for you why not share it?
Be kind to those who are stressed and anxious – treat others who are going through it with compassion and empathy.
Look after yourself
– which is critical when you’re stressed, take time out of your day to relax.
Here’s some stress solutions:
Prioritise your health Get good night’s sleep
Practice deep breathing
Stay hydrated
Eat for well-being Whilst this list isn’t extensive more solutions can be found here: https://bit.ly/34LLFhD.
If you’d like any more information on stress, anxiety and how to deal with it, please follow this link: https://bit. ly/34Lp3Ob.
I HOPE you and yours are keeping well during this pandemic crisis.
Among great tragedy, distress, economic and social disruption and uncertainty, there are glimmers of hope for the future.
We have seen a huge outpouring of respect and support for our dedicated health and care services - never again should our beleaguered NHS have to fight for resources.
Much-reduced road and air traffic has seen significantly lower levels of air pollution in towns and cities worldwide.
Do you want less congestion, safer streets, healthier kids, calmer neighbourhoods and reduced stress?
Then please support ‘Twenty is Plenty for Cheshire East’.
Ask your local councillor(s) to support a resolution due to be put to Cheshire East Council on May 13, calling for the default speed limit on urban roads to be reduced to 20mph.
20mph (especially on side roads) doesn’t significantly alter trip times or inconvenience drivers - jams and stops do.
A constant 30mph speed is rare due to bends, junctions etc.
Going fast between obstructions just leads to extra waiting at the next stop. 20mph zones around schools are insufficient, 80 per cent of child casualties happen on non-school trips.
Families need wide area limits for child protection from road injury – their top risk.
Older people are at even greater risk – 20mph is ten times safer than 30mph for over 60s and seven times safer for others.
Although it is true many drivers routinely ignore speed limits, nevertheless reduced limits see average speeds decrease.
Every one mph less reduces deaths and severe injuries by six per cent.
Modern vehicles are efficient at 20mph - a lower gear isn’t always needed.
Fuel use and pollution fall due to smoother driving.
Stay safe, stay well.