I’m Janet and on my blog “Falcondale Life” I share travel stories and photography tips to inspire families with older children and amateur photographers to go on beautiful adventures and get more out of life at home too. Regular features include photography tips, foreign travel and life with teenagers. Stories of our family adventures give insight into both the practical and cultural travel experience, plus how we snapped those photos along the way. I live in Harrogate with my husband and two daughters,”
1.) Do you suffer with stress frequently or occasionally?
Only occasionally now since I gave up the 9 to 5 and work for myself. I still experience stress but I suffer less.
2.) What sort of things cause you stress?
I used to get a lot of stress at work which was really caused by a lack of support from management. Since giving that up the most stress comes from disruptions to family life. Stresses on family members cause me stress in turn, whether it’s from my husband’s job or from my daughter’s exams.
3.) Does anything in particular make stress worse for you?
Isolation makes stress worse. Because I work from home it is an effort to see other people. A lack of control makes it worse too.
4.) Does stress have an impact on your physical health?
Definitely. I suffer from migraines which can be caused by stress. This brings on nausea, photophobia and temporary blindness.
5.) What do you do to alleviate stress?
I try to get more good quality sleep and to eat protein. I also try to get a change of scene. I pray and I sometimes use a hypnotherapy tape too.
6.) Do you think more needs to be done to raise awareness of what causes stress and the impact it has on us and those around us? If yes, what would you do or like to see done?
I would like to see less stress put on my husband and children by work and school respectively. It transfers to me as I try to pick up their pieces.
7.) Do you have any tips for anyone dealing with stress?
Let go of things you can’t change. Let go of things that take too much effort to change also. Say “no” to some things. Socialise. Enjoy music. Watch comedy and laugh. Make your breaks awesome. Look after your body, especially get more sleep. If you have insomnia or other physical symptoms then look into meditation or hypnotherapy.
