Health Education

Stress is a normal part of life, and it has been especially difficult for all of us in the past two years. During this prolonged pandemic, social distancing has left us feeling lonely and isolated. It is easy to feel depressed when we are cooped up at home for long periods of time. As stress is invisible, it is tempting to overlook or downplay it. Stress, on the other hand can greatly impact the emotional well-being of adults and children, it is thus important for us to learn how to cope with itproperly.

Take a break from the news

Spending more time at home often means spending more time on social media. It is all too easy to fall into the trap of checking the news frequently and ‘doomscrolling’ online for pandemic updates, adding to your stress and worries. For your own peace of mind,take a break fromreceiving news for a while.

Take good care of yourself

Have a balanced diet, nutritious foods, make sure you are getting adequate rest, and incorporate regular exercises into your day. When you feel stressed out, breathe deeply and take a break to meditate. Stay on top of your physical health – including performingregular check-ups.

Enjoy some “me-time”

Make time to unwind and do activities you enjoy. That could be crafting projects, playing with your pets, cooking and enjoying delicious food or even redecorating your space!

Talk to others

Don’t keep things bottled up! Be brave – if there is something on your mind, reach out to the people you trust, like friends and relatives, colleagues,classmates, neighbours,  yourfamily doctor.

Don’t rely on alcohol and cigarettes

These may seem to offer momentary stress relief, but they can also create additional long-term health issues.

Seek help from medical professionals

If you or a loved one feels overwhelmed by stress that is affecting your life and health, or if you would like to learn more about ways you can manage your stress and keep it under control, consult your family doctor.

Gleneagles’ Family Medicine specialists provide comprehensive medical services centred on continuous care, long-term relationships with patients, and one-stop treatment of medical issues. Along with preventive medical services and continual care plans for chronic conditions, they also provide physical and mental health consultation and assistance.

Information provided by Dr Ai Hiu Fay Dawn, Consultant in Family Medicine at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong