April is Stress Awareness Month across the UK. Dealing with debt issues can be closely linked to stress, and we’re aiming to break the stigma and silence around debt by encouraging people to reach out for help sooner.

Stress can manifest itself in both physical and emotional symptoms. Common side effects of stress include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, migraines and other more serious illnesses.

One very common side effect of stress is a lack of sleep. Irregular sleep patterns can lead to a variety of other issues, such as trouble concentrating at work and can even cause a strain on your relationships. When our bodies are inactive at night, stressful thoughts and fears start to creep in, with panic at the prospect of being unable to sleep becoming overwhelming. The National Sleep Foundation says anxiety and insomnia feed off each other, creating a vicious cycle.

There are a variety of steps you can take if you’re suffering with stress to try and alleviate some of the symptoms.

1) Avoid triggers Common triggers for stress include caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.

Caffeine and nicotine are known stimulants and can increase stress levels rather than suppress them. When consumed in large quantities, alcohol can be a depressant and can make existing problems even more difficult to deal with.

We understand that certain types of stress such as financial strains may feel like a constant burden. That is why it is important to try and practice step 2.

2) Try relaxation techniques

You don’t need to take hours out of your day to learn how to do fancy yoga poses, but even just 5 minutes doing some gentle stretches or learning to incorporate some mindfulness into your day can have a positive impact.

This won’t necessarily solve the initial cause of your stress, but it can help you to manage it better.. By getting your stress levels under control, it can help you to carry out normal daily routines without your stress affecting you to the same extent.

3) Tackle the cause

This is by far the most important step. By tackling the cause of your stress it can help you lead a happier, healthier life in both body and mind.

The sooner you reach out for help and support, the sooner the problem can be resolved and you can get back on track with the important things in life.

PayPlan have a dedicated team working with vulnerable clients including those who are suffering from a variety of health issues and addictions, including gambling problems, disabilities and mental health illnesses.

It can be daunting to get in touch for the first time if you’re dealing with debt issues, but we offer a number of channels you can contact us on including Live Chat, email, telephone and online web form, so you can choose which is the most convenient for you.

Get in touch with us today.