Top tips to reduce stress

Stress is essential to our experience as a human being. It’s the driving force that helps us to meet challenges and accomplish our goals, but left unsupervised, this unruly wild child will quite literally come to dominate your life and run you ragged.

Life for all of us has brought unexpected challenges and stresses over recent months. For many of us, the needle on our inner stress-o-meter is wavering dangerously at the high end of the dial. But what if we told you that a few small changes to your life could transform the way you feel and keep a reign on your stress levels?

Here are some of our top tips to get a handle on stress…

1. Get some exercise

This is it. The number one, quickest fix for reducing your stress levels. It’s probably the last thing you feel like doing but exercise releases endorphins (your happy hormone). Get some exercise and pay attention to how you feel afterwards. It’s more than likely that you’ll find that you’re in a better place mentally and better equipped to take on any challenges that come your way.

2. Take a break from stress

Another basic but important tip. When we’re stressed, we tend to put our vital needs last. The first steps to regaining control of your stress levels is to get the basics back in order. Make it a priority to take a break from life and get some rest.

3. Get back to nature

Getting outside to enjoy nature can work wonders for your state of mind. Just a short time beyond the walls of our home or workplace can leave us feeling calmer, more relaxed and ready to take on the challenges of the day.

4. Visualise

What you think about has a significant impact on your life. Visualising can help channel this energy towards positivity. It’s a great technique to help you to find a sense of calm. Feeling stressed? Take a few minutes to visualise yourself on the beach, feeling completely relaxed and without a care in the world. Stay there for a while until you feel that you are in a more positive head space.

5. Meditate

Meditation is a great way to reset your mind. If you want to permanently improve your mental wellness, this is undoubtedly the way to go. There’s no better way to calm the mind and find balance. New to meditation? Thankfully, there are now lots of apps, books and YouTube videos to help you get started. Have a look. You won’t regret it.

6. Unplug from life

In these days of super connectivity, we’re expected to be available 24/7. Thanks to the wonders of technology, we enjoy many amazing benefits, but as human beings, it’s important to remind ourselves that we need to rest without interruption. Set boundaries, avoid social media and news if it doesn’t bring anything positive to your day. The less connected we are to life beyond our own world, the more connected and in tune we are likely to feel with ourselves.

7. De-clutter your living space

Take a bit of time to de-clutter your home and working space. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel mentally. So, tidy out your wardrobe, tackle that room that has become your dumping ground. Your mental well-being will thank you for it.