Mental health awareness week took place last week and the focus this year was stress. Personally, I find stress incredibly difficult to manage, and as I suffer with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder stress magnified my illness a considerable amount.

Although stress is not a mental health problem it is closely linked to mental health as it can cause mental health problems or make the existing problem worse.

Stress affects me emotionally, physically and mentally. It leaves me feeling restless, agitated, overwhelmed and unable to concentrate.

Here are five Disney Quotes to alleviate the stresses of everyday life and how I relate to them

1. Think of the happiest things it’s the same as having wings – Peter Pan

“You think of a wonderful thought”

“Any happy little thought?”

“Like toys at Christmas? Sleigh bells? Snow?”

When I begin to feel stress mounting up I think of the things that make me happy. I think about the first time I met my girlfriend. The day my little brother started School. The times I have laughed uncontrollably with my family. The holidays I have shared with the people closest to me. When I think about these moments in my life, the memories I have automatically lift my spirits. I attempt to concentrate on the people that make me the happiest and try to block out the negativity that it causing me distress.

2. Laughter is ten times more powerful than screams – Mike Wazowski

The pressures of everyday life can prove to be extremely stressful. Regardless of the situation we have all had a point in our lives where we feel like screaming. I have had many days where I feel like I could just sit there and scream due to stress. Instead of doing this, I find a way to laugh. I dig out a memory, find a photo, make a phone call, look online or spend time with a loved one. I find that laughter is the best medicine – after all laughed decreases stress and releases endorphins.

3. In every job that must be done there is an element of fun, you find the fun and snap the jobs a game – Mary Poppins

For me stressful events have led to anxious and overwhelmed states. I feel that this quote applies to many situations where stress is overclouding life. I have to think of the reason that I am doing what needs to be done. For example – I have to go to work – when I go to work it means I can do things with my girlfriend and my family. I try to look at what I can do to get through the situation and ways it can help me. I look forward to the end product knowing it will give me joy.

4. Look for the bare necessities. The simple bare necessities. Forget about your worries and your strife’s – Baloo

There are many different reasons that people experience stress. Finance, illnesses work, education and confrontation are just a few examples. When I begin to feel stress – I strip it down. To the bare necessities. I have what I need and more. Warmth, food, a home, happiness, family and friends. I look around me, the people, the place I call home, even at the sky. Sometimes I get stressed about things that really do not matter, I take a mole hill and make it into a mountain. I look at the bigger picture and I am thankful for what I have.