The stress Hong Kong people face are ranked one of the highest among the world, especially during the pandemic where the challenges they face are even more complex, further increasing the stress they are burdened with. If the stress is not relieved regularly, the negativity will peak, leading to an emotional outbreak when they simply can’t cope any longer. This begs the questions: What are the main sources of stress? How do you recognize the emergence of problems? What is the best way to reduce stress?
There are multiple studies on everyday stress, like the “Hong Kong Depression Index Survey 2020” released earlier by the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong released, where 1,336 people were successfully interviewed through online questionnaires and telephone interviews. The study revealed that the overall depression index increased significantly, with 23% of respondents experiencing moderate to severe depression, including 8.4% of those with “greater to severe” depression. What triggers stress? The most common source of stress was the political or social environment, with 65.2% of respondents acknowledged it as their source. 61.7% of respondents said their stress came from the novel coronavirus outbreak, while other sources included family, health, work, etc.
Prone to being upset
When facing different kinds of stress, it is inevitable that you will be emotionally affected. The most common physical symptoms are muscle tension and pain, followed by frequent fatigue and back pain. As for psychological symptoms, many people have poor concentration and memory, mood swings, and anxiety.
Stimulate your 5 senses
Many clinical psychologists have often incorporated the five senses — visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory and tactile/pressure perception, into psychotherapy. Through stimulating the sense with soothing sensations and images, it can create a senes of relaxation, thus help to elevate your spirit and mood, produce more dopamine, and feel happier as a result.
Art therapy
Art therapy helps to relax and reduce stress, achieving therapeutic results. The purpose of art therapy is not to create artwork, but to understand oneself and solve problems through artistic expression. Art therapy includes dance, music and painting. Through painting, you can express your problems and provide an outlet for low emotions and stress, helping you to improve your mental health.
Meditate for 15-20 minutes
Whether it’s before bed or on your lunch break at work, 15-20 minutes of meditation is good for relaxing your brain. Taking a few minutes to clear your mind can be truly relaxing. Before going to bed, you should also stay away from electronic products to give your mind a moment of peace, and free of distractions to fall asleep quickly. With a good night’s sleep, the mental state will be improved.
Take good care of your physical, mental, and emotional health
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