Feeling stressed is a common experience, especially in modern-day life! Sometimes, it might be caused by one big thing, other times it can be a mixture of smaller pressures that just keep building up over time. It might even be that there is no obvious cause, and that’s okay.
You can access many support options if you’re struggling to cope with how you’re feeling, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or counselling.
It’s good to know that there are also lots of things we can do to help ourselves stress less right now.
Let’s take a look!
Feeling stressed is a common experience, especially in modern-day life! Sometimes, it might be caused by one big thing, other times it can be a mixture of smaller pressures that just keep building up over time. It might even be that there is no obvious cause, and that’s okay.
You can access many support options if you’re struggling to cope with how you’re feeling, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or counselling.
It’s good to know that there are also lots of things we can do to help ourselves stress less right now. Let’s take a look!
What is stress, and what can cause it?
Stress is a common and normal reaction in everyday life that most of us will experience at some point. It can be caused by many different things, and it might make you feel like:
- You’re run down or tired a lot of the time
- You’re easily irritable or overwhelmed
- It’s difficult to relax
- You’re always worried
- You have headaches or stomach problems often
Our top 5 tips on how to stress less
1. Talk it out
We know that talking about how we feel is personal, and can feel quite daunting! However, it’s important to know that it can really help.
Chatting with a friend, family member or colleague in a safe space over a cup of tea is a great place to start, and you might even find that people relate to how you feel if they’ve been there too. Having a support system you can open up to is really valuable, and they might be able to help you see things in a different way.
If you feel comfortable enough doing so, you could also visit your GP to find out more about what support is out there. You can also self-refer online, take a look at how we help at Everyturn.
Sometimes, something as simple as a conversation can have a positive impact on your mood. It’s important to feel like you can ask for help, and know that you’re not alone in what you’re going through.
Take a look at our guide to talking about mental health for some advice on how to have a conversation around mental health.
2. Time management
Let’s face it – in modern-day life, many of us are very busy a lot of the time! Whether it be work, responsibilities, or parenting – it can feel overwhelming. The good news is, you might find it helpful to take control of your day with good time management.
We know this is much easier said than done, but learning how to make the most of your time will give you a feeling of control, helping you feel more focused and less overwhelmed.
Simple steps you can take now to start managing your time better include prioritising the important stuff if that’s an option for you and your schedule. Try to identify your goals, and focus on quality, not quantity.
Make sure to make time for your breakfast, lunch and dinner, and try not to neglect a good night’s sleep! Whether your stress is caused by the big things or the little things, thoughtful time management can have a really positive impact on your levels of stress.
3. Make time for yourself
When we feel stressed, our self-care routine can easily become disrupted. You might notice a change in your sleeping pattern, and you might find that your appetite has changed. You might start losing interest in normal daily things and hobbies you used to enjoy.
It can be easy for us to forget to prioritise these everyday things, but it’s important to make space for ourselves each day – even if it’s just 20 minutes!
It might be useful to set aside a time each day where you can do something for yourself – whether that be taking a walk, listening to music, reading, hanging out with friends, or just doing something you enjoy.
It’s also really helpful to practice breathing exercises to help you calm down in the moment. You can do these anywhere and can take as little as a few minutes. Find out more about breathing exercises for stress.
4. Physical activity
If physical activity is an option for you, this can be a great way to reduce some of the stressful feelings you’re experiencing.
We know, we know – exercise isn’t a cure-all, and we also know it can be difficult to find the motivation! Especially when you’re not feeling great. Don’t be too hard on yourself if this isn’t something you feel up to just yet, however, it’s important to know that physical activity can boost your mood, so if it is something you enjoy – give it a try!
Find out more about exercise to help improve your fitness and wellbeing.
5. Reach out for practical support
If you feel that practical support would help you manage better, try contacting your local Citizen’s Advice bureau, have a conversation with your manager, or if you’re a student – speak to your tutors or student advisors. Depending on what kind of things are impacting your levels of stress, reaching out for practical support could be really helpful.
Some of our services here at Everyturn offer additional free and confidential employment support to people who are struggling at work due to stress, anxiety or depression.
We hope our top tips on how to stress less have been useful, make sure to take a look at our other advice hub articles on stress for more tips and advice.
