APRIL IS STRESS AWARENESS MONTH

APRIL IS STRESS AWARENESS MONTH and I can offer you some tips if you feel you could do with a bit of help right now.

1. First is recognising there’s an issue. Now you’ve identified it, are you ready to put your health as a priority?
2. We all feel better when we’ve had a good night’s sleep, and wake feeling rested. What will you do to help you to get to sleep a bit easier / earlier tonight?
3. A short and simple breathing exercise can be done anywhere: Breathe in counting 1,2,3,4, then out to 5,6,7,8,9,10,11. Repeat three times. When the out breath is longer, then our nervous system relaxes.
4. Stay hydrated. Try to drink only 2-3 cups of coffee daily, or less, and take more water or herb tea.
5. Eat for wellbeing: more fruit and veg, more whole grains, more nuts and seeds
6. Move to combat stress: Could you walk part of your way to work? When our body goes into a state of stress it expects some kind of physical activity (need to run away from a tiger!) Did you ever exercise after a stressful day? Do you remember how you felt afterwards?
7. Think about the positive things in your life. Try writing down three good things at the end of every day. Maybe you saw a beautiful sunset, or someone gave you a really nice smile or comment?
8. Give yourself a tech break. Switch off those screens two hours before bed, to allow the mind some downtime.