Celebrating the lightbulb moment
When people realise that they can't handle their money worries any longer...
We all know the benefits of reducing our stress levels. The problem is, it’s much easier said than done, especially if you’re already feeling the pressure.
With this in mind, we’ve put together some tips for reducing stress in your everyday life. First, let’s take a look at what stress is and why it shows up in our lives…
Humans have been stressed for ages. Stress told your caveman ancestor when there was a predator nearby, when food was scarce, and who out of the tribe was most likely to beat him up and steal his mate.
The world’s changed a bit since then. We’ve replaced the threat of being eaten by a saber-toothed tiger with the threat of not making enough money, letting our loved ones down, or losing a staring match with the dog (that last one might be just me though).
The point is, our caveman brains are still on high alert for the next thing that could kill us (believe me, my dog’s capable of anything). Also, because evolution’s kinda slow, this is likely to be the case for thousands of years to come…yay.
The following could be signs that stress is affecting your life in unhealthy ways:
Yes. Stress can make us mindful of the consequences of not doing or achieving certain things. Here are some examples:
Once you deal with these challenges, stress is meant to lift. However, if you avoid the source of your stress, it can cause real harm to your physical and mental state.
So now we know what stress is, here’s how to keep it to a minimum…
Many people relish a Friday night tipple at the end of a long week. However, alcohol’s a depressant. This means it can leave you feeling anxious or uneasy, which is the opposite of a stress reliever.
Alcohol can also mess up your sleep which only increases stress. Although a nightcap might seem like a good idea, it’s probably better for your body to drink hot milk or herbal tea.
When out socialising, take turns drinking water or soft drinks between alcoholic drinks. Hangovers are a result of dehydration, so water should reduce the chance of a sore head in the morning.
Currently, the NHS recommends no more than 14 units of alcohol a week for men and women. That’s about 6 pints of beer or 7 medium glasses of wine.
Nicotine
Like alcohol, nicotine leaves you feeling calmer, lowering your stress levels and relaxing muscles. As time goes on, you’ll need to smoke more to feel that nicotine hit. The resulting withdrawls can cause more anxiety and mood swings.
The NHS Smoke Free website can help you kick the habit. If you’re serious about quitting, keep track of what you’d be spending on ciggies in a notebook. Chances are the results will shock you.
Caffeine
This stimulant can be found in tea, coffee, energy drinks and even chocolate. Millions of people rely on it to feel more alert for the day ahead. Too much caffeine can increase your hormone levels (cortisol), making you feel more anxious. If you drink it too late in the day, it can wreak havoc on your sleeping pattern.
Alternatively, try:
The benefits of exercise are extensive. The more you do, the better you’ll feel in the short term while improving your health over the long term. If the thought of spending a fortune on a gym membership fills you with dread, there are alternatives:
Poor quality sleep not only makes you grumpy in the morning but can affect your stress levels. Here’s how to improve it:
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, writing things down can help you easily organise your thoughts and make sense of your worries.
Start off by writing a to-do list of:
You could take your list one step further, and make it an action plan. What can you do right now, so you can cross it off your list?
Some of my colleagues swear by bullet journaling, or BuJo, which thousands of people do in order to keep their thoughts and worries under control.
A problem shared is a problem halved, as the saying goes. So, make a cuppa, pick up the phone and have a natter with a friend or family member. Better yet, make a trip to see them in person and get everything off your chest.
Once your friends and family know what you’re dealing with, they may offer you support or ways to help. You don’t have to take them up on their offers, but it can be nice to know you’re not in this alone. If debt or money worries are getting you down, our guide to talking to your loved ones can help.
If you’re feeling stressed take the opportunity to treat yourself to some ‘me time’:
Take a few minutes to meditate every day. There are lots of great apps you can download for free to help you meditate. They’ll guide you through a series of breathing exercises and ways to clear your mind.
If your mind races as soon as your head hits the pillow, ambient sounds can help. There are apps that play all kinds of soothing sounds such as soothing waves and rainfall to quietly comforting music.
In conclusion, stress isn’t going anywhere. But unlike that sabre-toothed tiger of yesteryear, it can be tamed!
Do you have any top tips that help you relax? Tell us all about it in the comments, or email us with your suggestions.