Quatre mesures à prendre pour gérer un stress excessif

According to experts, the key to managing excessive stress is to acknowledge and feel your emotions and seek help if necessary.

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Approaching World Mental Health Day (October 10), Melissa Day, speech therapist and suicide first aid trainer at Niroshini 360, has compiled a list of the four steps to take if you feel you are on the verge of an “emotional or mental breakdown”.

1) Accept the breakdown

If you feel like you’re heading towards depression, it’s important to allow yourself to feel your emotions and rest.

“Striving to function during a depression can be very detrimental,” warns Melissa. “Instead, it is recommended to surrender to the breakdown and let it run its course. The most effective approach is to navigate through the breakdown.”

2) Consider emotions as valuable allies

It is important to know that our emotions have a reason for being.

“It is important to recognize that sensations, emotions, and feelings are not unfounded; they are a sign of a stress crisis,” advises the expert. “Emotions are valuable allies. In times of distress, emotions serve as a compass and internal guide, signaling that something is wrong.”

3) Seek help

It is essential to ask for help, identify, and address your concerns and fears.

“The onset of depression indicates the need to change one’s lifestyle,” explains Melissa. “It is crucial to understand the underlying cause of depression and recognize that it does not happen for no reason. Avoid the misconception that simply recovering from the breakdown and returning to normalcy is enough.”

The expert adds: “The assistance of trusted individuals or professionals can be beneficial in this regard.”

4) Stabilize your mood and sleep

It is essential to rest and expose yourself to sunlight to stabilize your mood.

“It is recommended to spend 20 minutes in sunlight each day,” explains Melissa. “Exposure to morning sunlight is a way to improve circadian rhythm and promote restful sleep. Vitamin D is an exceptional mood stabilizer; it is arguably the most essential nutrient to maintain adequate levels in the body for the production of effective hormones.”