News
What is Stress?
Stress is a normal rection to mental or emotional pressure. Feeling stressed is often a result of feeling a loss of control of something.
What are some helpful ways to manage stress?
The NHS recommends keeping physically active, socialising and practicing meditation techniques as part of ways to manage stress.
Why Stress Management is Important for the People we Support
Managing stress is important to us all, but it is all the more vital for people who live with epilepsy. Stress and anxiety are common seizure triggers and understandably, seizures are also a common source of anxiety.
At The Meath we work hard to support adults with complex epilepsy to break this catch-22 situation with our 24/7 care and support. As part of this, we encourage the people we support to take part in a variety of stress-busting skills-based activity sessions. Some of the people we support have shared how taking part in Skills Centre sessions helps them to manage their stress.
Yoga
“I sit in a chair when I do yoga but I find it relaxing and chilling doing it this way. If I come in feeling tense, I find it melts away and I feel refreshed after.” Beth
“It helps me to get the emotional things out of my head and I drift off into another place. After Yoga, I generally feel more relaxed in my mind and soul, it puts off the worries in my mind.” David
“Yoga has really done something for me as I feel relaxed and I can focus!” Elanor
Textiles & Sewing
“I like coming to this session because it makes me feel relaxed when I make things with my hands. I also like the music and the company.” Hannah
“I like sewing, it makes feel happy! The music helps me concentrate and I like being with my friends.” Karen
Food Tech
“I feel empowered and positive when cooking. By the end of the session I feel warm and fuzzy inside. It also motivates me to prepare and try out healthy meals at home.” Janet
“I work hard in Food tech and feel proud. I enjoy getting back to my house to tell my staff what a good day I have had. I feel happy, jolly and smiley.” Philippa
Creative & Expressive Sessions
Taking part in creative and expressions such as Choir sessions, Therapeutic Music and Drama sessions, offers the people we support a combination of physical, social and emotional benefits. Sessions and performances are also simply, a lot of fun!
While singing offers the physical benefits of improvements to breathing and posture, singing in a choir offers a sense of communal connection and purpose. Meanwhile Drama sessions enable members to explore the range of human emotions in a safe environment while also enjoying a sense of escapism.
“I love performing and being a different character. It’s interesting to work on Shakespeare.” Amy
“I am proud to be in The Meath Choir. Singing together makes me happy and I like signing in Makaton.” Philippa
“Dance is good. It makes me happy and very excited.” Elena
Stress Busting Benefits of a Busy & Purposeful Schedule
Each Skills Centre Activity session offers some specific stress reducing benefits. Gym sessions are a great way to focus on maintaining an active lifestyle, but other fitness sessions can offer some different benefits. Catherine Agca, Head of Operations explains
“Keeping physically active is very important for overall wellbeing and stress reduction. However, team sports sessions such as our football group also benefit members by promoting social skills and simply by taking place outside in our grounds. Our Walking Group enjoy keeping fit, while also taking in their natural soundings.
Our Dance sessions also provide a great combination of physical activity, mental focus and socialisation. The whole team at The Skills Centre are proud to support and champion wellbeing and stress reduction through the range of enabling activity sessions we deliver.”
