These challenging times can be upsetting and stressful for many, and each of us combat stress in a variety of ways.
April is also stress awareness month so with this in mind, we have put together some ideas to help you think of ways you can try and alleviate stress day to day at home.
5 tips to help combat stress
1. Stay Positive – Begin your day in the best way to keep you positive, whether that be exercising, reading some positive quotes or simply having a morning coffee. Starting your day in a way you enjoy and prefer to will set your mind into a positive mindset. We know it’s been said that laughter is the best form of medicine and in fact a good laugh can help to relieve physical tension and relax your muscles for up to 45 minutes.
2. Exercise – Each time you are physically active your body releases endorphins. These endorphins are mood boosting chemicals that will help to reduce stress whilst also helping with your ability to sleep. Exercise need not be high impact and can be anything from a short walk to running, cycling or Pilates. Most importantly choose an activity that you enjoy doing.
3. Eating Oranges – We all know that eating a balanced and healthy diet is important and putting oranges into your diet will of course give you a boost of Vitamin C. Studies have also shown that vitamin C can help to reduce stress levels and support the immune system. This vitamin also helps to regulate cortisol and reduce blood pressure spikes in more stressful situations.
4. Managing time – Life can be busy, even for those of us spending more time at home, and prioritising tasks can be challenging. Creating a ‘would like to achieve’ list shifts the words away from a ‘must do’ where if you don’t achieve these things you feel deflated and disappointed. Note down your ‘like to achieve’ in genuine priority order then look through to see if tasks can be delegated to others or could be completed the next day/week etc. Looking through the list in this format will help to alleviate the need to complete every task that day and create space for any unexpected jobs that may arise. Always look to include time for your own wellbeing and relaxation time.
5. YOU – If you’re struggling to enjoy a new or existing hobby or interest, then that can be challenging. Spending time in a way that you enjoy, whether that be a bath, time with friends over Zoom, or reading books or magazines - these are all equally as important in allowing time to be stress free from other elements of life. Making time for you a priority will help to allow more of a balance in your life.
