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Health

Stress

Are you busy or stressed? When does the balance tip from short-term, beneficial stress to a long-term stress condition which is harmful for you? Stress is not an illness but it can cause serious illness. Therefore, you should react if you experience symptoms of long-term stress in yourself or others.

More well-being - Less stress

Stress can be defined as a state of both physical and mental overload. This state of overload can occur when external demands or the demands we place on ourselves exceed the resources we feel are available to us. You can prevent stress by strengthening your mental health.

5 tips for better well-being (in Danish)

Check your stress levels

With 5 questions developed by WHO (WHO-5), supplemented with a couple of additional questions, you can check your stress levels. The test can provide an indication of how well you're doing in everyday life.

Stress Test (in Danish)

Is your partner affected by stress?

When someone is affected by stress, it will also impact those close to them, and this can lead to difficulties in private life. From the many people we've helped over the years to regain their footing, we know that it's often the same challenges that people struggle with. On that basis, we've compiled 10 tips for you to help someone dealing with stress.

Good advice (in Danish)

Signs of stress 

  • Physical signs of stress

If you experience several of the following symptoms for a long period of time, it might be a sign of stress:

  • Palpitations
  • Headache
  • Sweat
  • Inner agitation
  • Stomach aches
  • Loss of appetite
  • Frequent infections
  • Worsening of chronic disease, such as psoriasis and diabetes

Source: Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljø

 

  • Mental signs of stress

If you experience several of the following symptoms for a long period of time, it might be a sign of stress

  • Disinclination
  • Fatigue
  • Memory problems
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Restlessness
  • Low mood

Source: Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljø

 

  • Behavioural signs of stress

If you experience several of the following symptoms for a long period of time, it might be a sign of stress

  • Insomnia
  • Lack of engagement
  • Aggression
  • Irritability
  • Indecisiveness
  • Increased use of stimulants, such as coffee, cigarettes and alcohol
  • Increased sickness absence

Source: Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljø 

 

  • 5 tips to talking about stress

Do you think that it is difficult or transgressive to talk about stress? Here are 5 tips to start the dialogue:

  1. Be direct: Say openly and honestly why you are concerned. For example, you can say: I think you seem sad and that worries me.
  2. Be yourself:Do not be afraid to say something wrong. Silence and isolation is worse. Admit if you find it difficult to talk about or understand.
  3. Be interested: Do not think that you can or should solve other people's mental problems. Be inquisitive and ask how the person is feeling. Listen, show interest and offer your support and help.
  4. Be persistent:Do not give up if you are rejected. It is a completely normal reaction. Tell the person that you are here if he/she needs to talk or needs help.
  5. Be committed:The term stress is often indiscriminately used for general busy periods. If you feel unsure about whether to react to what you see, it may help you search for knowledge about what stress is and what the signs are.

source: mentalsundhed.dk

Guard your resources

Remember to rest and take breaks

Stress is a state of strain or tension that eats into your physical and mental resources. When you sleep and relax, you allow your body to recover. If you do not get enough rest, a sleep debt will accumulate and the stress will break down and harm your health.

In a state of stress, we will often seek to win time by skipping breaks and meals with the risk of burning the candle at both ends. Therefore, remember to take time to recharge.

Source: Arbejdsmiljøweb.dk

Stress and sleep go hand in hand

Take both elements seriously

A state of stress will affect you so you might have difficulties falling asleep. At the same time, a good night's sleep is essential for being able to resist stress.

If you do not sleep well, you have to do something to bring down your stress level, and if you are stressed, you have to pay particular attention to prioritising your sleep.

Kim Steen Nielsen

Job or privat life

Talk about stress
 
Mental health problems can be caused by factors at work and outside work. You can do a lot yourself to avoid stress, but if you get stressed, it is important to talk to your superior – the sooner the better.

Kim Steen Nielsen

Seek medical advice

React to serious stress

If you sense that you are seriously stressed, you have to react here and now. Seek medical advice to clarify your situation.

If you do not have the energy to act on it, it is important that you ask for help.

If you have health insurance, that will often be able to help you.

You can reach our health team by calling .