Originally published by Employee Assistance Program (EAP Assist) on 13th December 2021 and republished with permission. https://eapassist.com.au/eap-assist/coping-with-traumatic-events/ Emotional responses of witnessing and experiencing disasters, mass violence and traumatic events can vary from person to person. There is no right or wrong way to feel. Common reactions include disbelief and shock, feelings of fear, anxiety guilt, anger, hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, changes in eating habits, and disruptions in the ability to tend to daily tasks and responsibilities. Here are 6 ways to manage the unsettled feelings and reduce the risk of psychological difficulties that may arise.1. Take stock of your media consumption. While it is natural to want to understand what happened, how this could happen, and what one can do,...
Originally published by Employee Assistance Program (EAP Assist) on 30th November 2021 and republished with permission. https://eapassist.com.au/eap-assist/reframing-your-anxiety/ Cognitive restructuring involves taking a hard look at negative thought patterns. Perhaps you tend to: Overgeneralize Assume the worst place too much importance on minor details Thinking this way can affect what you do and, in some instances, can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Try to identify negative patterns and once you’re aware of them, reframe those thoughts so that they’re more positive and productive.Thought challenging is about considering things from multiple angles, using actual evidence from your life. Thought challenging can help you consider things from a more objective perspective, rather than just assuming that your thoughts are the facts or truth. Learning about your cognitive...
Originally published by Employee Assistance Program (EAP Assist) on 29th November 2021 and republished with permission. https://eapassist.com.au/eap-assist/breaking-down-stress/ The key to good stress management is building problem solving skills and emotional wellbeing as well as having a good social network around you, and a positive outlook. If you are dealing with a lot of stress in your life, deal with it like you would any big problem- you can break your stress down into manageable chunks. Breaking things down into Manageable Chunks Think about taking small manageable steps. Don’t be too ambitious, go easy on yourself. Setting yourself achievable targets, or plans can help you to better achieve what you want to do. Use the Easy 4 Step Plan to break a problem or task...
Originally published by Employee Assistance Program (EAP Assist) on 25th November 2021. https://eapassist.com.au/eap-assist/ten-ways-to-manage-stress/ Stop rushing. When you rush from one place to the next, the entire time you spend getting there, is going to be stressful. When you allow extra time to get places and do things that take longer than you think, you will be amazed at how much stress you can eliminate. Get organized. Disorganization is a major source of stress. When you waste time looking for things, or simply work in a disorganized environment, it eats away at your peace of mind. Organize your closets, your work space and your car and watch your stress start to subside. Take 3 deep breaths. Breathing deeply is one of the quickest and easiest ways...
