Take time to stress less, psychologist urges

Learning how to protect your precious down time and relax are some of the tips people should heed this “Stress Down Day”, according to a Charles Darwin University researcher.

Clinical Psychology Lecturer Carmen Cubillo said nurturing mental health was the key to increased wellbeing and resilience, which protected people against the stress of a busy lifestyle.

“Some of our time in therapy is spent coaching clients to allocate time to relax on a regular basis, and treating that time as an appointment that can’t be rescheduled or postponed,” she said.

“We need to commit to de-stressing.”

Ms Cubillo said that with the recent start of Semester Two at CDU for example, students should be mindful of developing personal stress management strategies.

“Find an activity you’re good at or something you enjoy and make it part of your routine,” she said.

“Don’t wait until you get run-down and sick to relax.”

Lifeline’s annual “Stress Down Day” will be held on Monday, 24 July 2017.

Territorians will be encouraged to take part in stress-reducing, fun activities such as wearing slippers to work or school, or dressing up or down – and to make a donation to Lifeline’s crisis support service. 

Lifeline: 13 11 14