How to manage stress in your life

At CBHS we help you manage your health challenges. We believe in offering you the services, support and tools you need to live your best life.
Health and Wellness Programs are available to support eligible members towards a healthier lifestyle. Each Health and Wellness Program is subject to its own eligibility criteria.
Contact us for more information and to confirm your eligibility for a program.

What is stress?

Stress is your body’s normal response to an elevated sense of risk, demand or danger whether perceived or fact. Stress helps you stay alert, focused and energized. However, too much stress can be highly disruptive and damaging to your health. Emotionally-charged situations or physical threats – even if they’re only imaginary – can trigger the stress response in your body, which kicks into a higher gear to cope with what you believe is a threat. Find out how you can improve your health by reducing your stress levels.

Statistics

$12 billion

The Black Dog Institute estimates mental health issues cost the Australian economy around $12 billion a year

61%

Over 60% of people with severe levels of distress drink alcohol to manage stress

74%

of people in the past year felt so stressed they were overwhelmed or unable to cope

1

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men in Australia

Latest stress articles

Mindfulness | Five minutes a day for better mental health

Because we have such busy lives, we may find ourselves on autopilot, which can lead to errors and stress. Mindfulness involves taking one moment to steer our attention and shift gears to what is in front of us. Learn a five minute mindfulness activity you can do anywhere.

Stress programs and support

Stress management programs

You can claim for recognised stress management programs under the Wellbeing benefits section of your Extras cover. We’ll need to see an outline of the course, including expected outcomes, to be able to pay benefits. If you’d like to check if your course is covered, send the program or a website link to help@cbhs.com.au or call our Member Care team on 1300 654 123. The amount you can claim depends on the Health Management limit of your Extras cover. Check your policy for details or view CBHS Extras cover.

Better Living programs

CBHS Better Living programs can help you manage the mental health impacts of stress, offering individual assessments of your needs and health coaching over a period of four to six months. This involves video and/or phone consultations with psychologists and/or mental health nurses and up to 15 coaching sessions. These sessions support behavioural and lifestyle changes that can help improve your mental health and wellbeing. These programs are designed to complement, not replace, existing clinical treatment or therapy. Read more about our Better Living programs.

Talk to someone

Many people find talking to an impartial person can help with stress. Psychologists are trained to recognise stress and anxiety disorders, and psychology is covered under CBHS Extras. Psychologists can help patients change the thought patterns that contribute to stress and find better ways to manage persistent levels of acute stress. Check your policy for details or view CBHS Extras cover.

Hospital care at home

If your stress has reached acute levels you may be able to get hospital grade care in the comfort of your own home with our Hospital Substitute Treatment programs (HST). Our HST program provides multi-disciplinary care for people with ongoing and complex psychiatric issues. As well as mental health support through consultations and group sessions (in some circumstances held in clinics) you may be able to get help with personal care and home support so you can concentrate on getting well. Read more about our Hospital Substitute Treatment program or call the CBHS Health and Wellness team on 1300 174 534.

_Sources

_{https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-symptoms-signs-and-causes.htm#:~:text=Stress%20is%20your%20body's%20way,body's%20way%20of%20protecting%20you.}
_{https://www.beyondblue.org.au/}
_{https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/system/files/documents/1702/the-incidence-accepted-wc-claims-mental-stress-australia.pdf}
_{https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/stress-treatments}
_{https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/3-stress-and-its-impact-on-you.pdf}

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