Annual conference
As OTs we are very good at looking after others , but sometimes we need to pay some attention to looking after ourselves .”
Annual conference
Build your awareness , knowledge and understanding of stress to ’ help you be a little bit better tomorrow than today ’
In a Special Plenary session designed to help delegates ‘ take some stress out of stress ’, Siôn Stansfield , Mindset and Performance Coach at POINT3 Wellbeing , used the session to explore the concept of stress and the stress response cycle .
Siôn was introduced to delegates by Odeth Richardson , RCOT Chair of Council , who reiterated how important it is to support colleagues to maintain our mental health and wellbeing .
She said : ‘ As OTs we are very good at looking after others , but sometimes we need to pay some attention to looking after ourselves ’.
Siôn kicked off by noting that simply having a conversation around stress can be a stressful experience in itself . But , he said , by having the right tools and understanding , we can support ourselves at those times when we do experience stress .
POINT3 Wellbeing ’ s mission is to make as many people as possible ‘ stress less and smile more ’, he explained . ‘ We know that by building your awareness , knowledge and your understanding it ’ s going to help you be a little bit better today than yesterday , a little bit better tomorrow than today ; knowing it ’ s not always going to go according to plan .’
Exploring the theory of stress and the stress response cycle , he asked what the benefits of stress are . ‘ With awareness of stress comes power ,’ he said . ‘ Awareness enables us to be in the driving seat , rather than the passenger seat , to those moments where stress comes in .’
He asked delegates to self-reflect and build their own ‘ personal stress signature ’ – how stress shows up for you in three areas – noting down how you physically feel , think and behave at the time of a stressful situation .
He pointed out that stress isn ’ t just a negative experience , it ’ s a normal part of the human experience , and there are benefits . ‘ It ’ s simply when it flips over to being a negative ,’ he explained , ‘ and we don ’ t have that control , and we don ’ t respond in the right way , that is starts to impact us negatively .’
Moving to describe the stress response cycle , he brought it to life with a tunnel analogy and how our ancestors would have reacted being faced with a stressful situation : Beginning : stressor or fear ; Middle : fight , flight or freeze ; End : safety , or home . In modern day society , he pointed out , ‘ that stress is just sitting there ’.
Siôn Stansfield
Siôn then shared six ‘ scientifically proven ’ ways – or practical tools – for busy professionals to use every day to complete the stress response cycle :
• Move : consider how to bring small micromovements into our everyday .
• Connect : make connections with other people , to ‘ talk it out ’.
• Breathe : practise ‘ focused breathing ’. Laugh : seek out way to make you laugh .
• Cry : if you find yourself on the urge , don ’ t resist the urge to cry .
• Create : bring yourself into the present moment by tapping into your creativity .
He told delegates , these tips are ‘ pocket science , not rocket science ’; that is , small things that you can introduce to your every day .
To conclude , he said ‘ we are all going to experience stress ’, but raising your awareness of your personal stress triggers is helpful . While the stress response cycle has a beginning , middle and end , you can avoid chronic stress by ensuring you complete the full cycle .
And he urged everyone , in a time of stress , to move , hug , breathe , connect , laugh and cry .
As OTs we are very good at looking after others , but sometimes we need to pay some attention to looking after ourselves .”
Breaking through : take home message
While there is an ‘ imbalance ’ in health and care systems in Wales , with missed opportunities for prevention and early intervention in the community – leading to people feeling disadvantaged and that the things that really matter to them are not being focused on – occupational therapists are key to the Welsh Government ’ s ambition to deliver outstanding , whole system , place-based care , ensuring people remain connected in their communities .
July 2023 OTnews 19