Stress can be helpful in small doses – it helps us to get things done quickly and meet targets and deadlines, but if it goes on for too long, it can lead to other problems. So, what can you do if you are feeling stressed? Fortunately, there are loads of easy steps you can take to help:
Go for a walk- getting outside in the fresh air is really important for our mental health. Try to walk somewhere green if possible - looking at the natural world helps to slow our breathing and heart rate, which makes us feel more calm.
Breathe- when a situation starts to feel overwhelming, take a minute to close your eyes and focus on slowly breathing in and out for a minute until you begin to feel more calm.
Get enough sleep- everything is worse when we’re tired. Make sure you aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night.
Book in time to chat to friends and family- not via text but a proper conversation where you can share stories and laugh together.
Cut down on screen time- does social media make you feel better or send your blood pressure soaring? Think about whether cutting back on time spent looking at your phone will help you to feel less stressed.