August 12, 2014
1. Time
Give yourself a good chunk of time to complete any paperwork. With daunting forms it's tempting to leave it till the last minute but this will just cause further stress and anxiety. If the form is large with a number of pages, break the task of completing it into manageable chunks with regular breaks. Aim for chunks of about 20 - 30 minutes with a 5 - 10 minute break. After an hour give yourself a longer break. This will help you to manage your stress levels and stay focused on the task at hand.
2. Space
Before starting to fill in your form ensure that you have adequate space, a good pen in black or blue and a flat surface to write on. Make sure your work surface is clean and you have enough space to spread out any reference documents you may need to refer to.
3. Remove distractions
Turn off the television or anything that could distract you and it make it harder to concentrate. Let family members or house mates know that you are working on an important document so that distractions from others are limited.
4. Plan
Read through the document so that you can get a feel for the kind of questions you will be answering and what information you may need to provide. If you are completing an official form, such as a benefits claim or job application, gather together any documents that you may need to refer to. Having these items close to hand will help to reduce stress and speed up the task. Also hunting around for documents while you are completing the form will be distracting and you will increase the risk of getting side tracked by other tasks.
5. Work methodically through the form page by page
This point is especially important when completing official documents such as benefit claim forms. The temptation is often to answer the bits you know first and come back to the others later. This is usually a good strategy for completing job applications but benefit forms tend to be laid out slightly differently. Often the answer you provide to one question affects the need to complete the remainder of the section or may lead to you being able to skip parts of the form altogether. Instructions about which question to answer next are usually printed in bold beside the space for your answer. If you find a question that doesn't apply to your circumstances then write 'N/A' (not applicable) in the space provided. This lets the person reading and processing the form know that you haven't just forgotten or misunderstood a question.
6. Take a copy
If at all possible take a photocopy of any form you've completed before posting. This will provide you with something to refer back to and will make completing any further forms infinitely easier. You can often find photocopiers in public libraries or stationery stores. If you can't afford to take a copy then photographing each page or scanning them into a computer will also provide you with a copy.
7. Get help
If you have a document that you need to complete by a certain date and you know you are going to struggle to get this done, ask for help. If the form is a benefits form you could ask at your local CAB and find out if they are able to assist you. Alternatively you could ask a reliable family member, friend or professional in your care for help. They may not be able to complete the form for you but may be able to offer some handy pointers or how best to tackle any difficult questions.
Posted by K Clark. Posted In : Managing Paperwork
August 3, 2014
In an earlier post about preparing for times of stress or mental unwellness, I suggested creating your own emotional first aid kit. An emotional first aid kit works in a very similar way to a traditional first aid kit that you would keep in your home for treating minor injuries and physical health issues. The idea is that you create a central place where you can store the kind of items that would help you through an emotional crisis or time of stress.As this may seem a little bit of an unus... Continue reading...
Posted by K Clark. Posted In : Managing Stress
July 28, 2014
Personal hygiene and self care skills are important for three reasons; they will improve your social interactions and personal relationships, they will help you to stay fit and healthy and they will help to improve your confidence and self esteem. As the British summer heat gets into full swing feeling and smelling clean and fresh is extremely important. Below are some tips for getting on top of body odour and keeping clean and fresh.
1. Daily Baths or Showers
Having a bath or shower daily i... Continue reading...
Posted by K Clark. Posted In : Personal Grooming
July 22, 2014
According
to the charity, Anxiety UK, anxiety affects one in six adults living in
the UK. Anxiety is the term used to describe the physical and emotional sensation of fear or nervousness. You will be more prone to
it's effects at times of stress, during and after a traumatic experience or when you are in a situation that scares you or makes you fear for your safety.
Some of the
main symptoms include shortness of breath, palpitations, upset
stomach, dry mouth, sweaty palms and tense musc...
Continue reading...
Posted by K Clark. Posted In : Managing Stress
July 13, 2014
If you are someone who has a lower threshold for stress or you suffer with an on-going mental health issue then making a plan for how you will cope with difficult periods could help a great deal. Below are a few suggestions of ideas that may help you if you know you are approaching a stressful time or event.
1. Develop Your Support Network
Build friendships with people who you can be honest about your feelings with. Look for people who can listen and who will respect your wishes and allow yo...
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Posted by K Clark. Posted In : Managing Stress
July 7, 2014
With so many students getting themselves geared up for moving away from home and going off to university it seemed like a good time to share some tips and suggestions on what to buy or acquire when moving out from home and into a shared house or halls of residence.
The Basics: Utensils for Cooking
- 1 large and 1 small saucepan with lids
- 1 non-stick frying pan
- A wooden spoon
- A knife, fork, teaspoon and tablespoon
- A sharp knife for preparing food
- A chopping board
- A fish slice - plastic is best for using...
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Posted by K Clark. Posted In : Homecare
June 30, 2014
Shopping
for food and other household products is a skill that is important to
learn if you are living independently. Below are a few tips to help get
you on your way.
1. Make a list
Preparing for a shopping trip will help you stay focused and stick to a budget. Go through your cupboards, fridge and freezer and see what needs replacing or restocking. Think about meals you enjoy and can easily prepare and check you have all the ingredients. Any you don't already have can go down on your l... Continue reading...
Posted by K Clark. Posted In : Homecare
June 23, 2014
1. Make a List
Slowly walk around your living area with a notepad and pen. If it helps, imagine that you are at someone else's home and that you are helping them identify jobs that need doing. As you work around each room jot down every job that you can see that needs doing. Try to be as objective as possible and avoid getting into self critical conversations with yourself about what you should have done. These kind of judgements will do nothing to motivate you and will just leave you fee... Continue reading...
Posted by K Clark. Posted In : Homecare
June 16, 2014
If you were to listen to advertisements you would find it hard to believe that you could look good on a small budget. The hair and beauty industry is big business and we are constantly being bombarded with information and advise on how we can improve the quality of our lives through using the right shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, make up, razors, shaving cream and so on. The truth is looking and feeling good doesn't need to cost and arm and a leg. Here are some tips on how to look your ...
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Posted by K Clark. Posted In : Personal Grooming
June 8, 2014
Never underestimate the value of sleep. Good quality sleep can underpin good physical and mental well being and shape how you approach the coming day. If you have slept well you are more likely to feel refreshed, motivated and ready to take on the day and any challenges it may bring. If you haven't you may feel sluggish, unmotivated and irritable. Listed below are some tips to improving your sleep patterns.
1. No Heavy Meals After 7pm
Try to avoid eating heavy meals late at night and idea...
Posted by K Clark. Posted In : Building Structure
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I am experienced mental health worker with 15 years experience working with young people and adults with enduring mental health needs. I have set up this blog to share some of the tips and skills I have learnt along the way. If you have any suggestions or particular questions you would like me to answer feel free to email me at 
