National Stress Awareness Day – November 4^th 2015

Stress seems to be an increasing influence in most people’s lives these days. Recognising it is the first step, then it is possible to do something about it. Stress comes in many forms and from many different sources. It can impact us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I offer a De-Stress and Relax treatment package designed with this in mind.

I would suggest that it is easier and more productive to manage stress daily, in small bite sized ways than to ignore it until something big happens. Often people wait until something they can’t ignore happens, often to their health. But why wait? There are plenty of ways to support yourself, your friends and family without it taking masses of time or money. When something ‘big’ does happen it often results in more than just painful financial losses.

Here are 5 top tips to help you deal with stress (in no particular order):

• Take time out – you don’t have to be busy all the time and it’s not healthy for you to be. Be proactive in scheduling time where you can relax without disturbances. Turn off your phone/tablet/laptop etc… Do you really have to be ‘on call’ all the time?

• Find different ways to relax the body and the mind. You may find sports or running very relaxing for the mind, however depending on the activity it is not necessarily relaxing for the body. Find ways that you enjoy where you can do both. You don’t have to be relaxing the mind and the body at the same time but it is great if you can (for example with meditation).

• Drink plenty of water. If you are even slightly dehydrated it puts your body and mind under greater stress. Your focus and ability to concentrate reduce making everything else harder to achieve, that can create even more stress for you – not helpful.

• Keep things in perspective. How important is it really?? How much of the stress we experience is self-imposed? What 1^st world problems are we allowing to drain our energy needlessly?

• Minimise your exposure to negative news, energy and influences. This may be in the form of sensationalist news and media, gossipy friends or ‘energy vampire’ relatives. Start to pay more attention to what is sapping your energy and then make a conscious effort to avoid those situations, where possible. Alternatively you may need to start setting new boundaries with people as you decide that you are no longer happy to partake in certain dynamics.

Looking for more ways to deal with stress?
The International Stress Management Association are providing free downloads. They have more advice and suggestions to help keep stress in check, click here for more information.

I’ve recently joined the team at Hove StressBusters. They run monthly talks by different practitioners sharing ways to beat stress as well as regular classes and workshops. To find out more visit their website.

To really make good headway into how you respond to stress in your life and to benefit from ongoing holistic support (coupled with more practical advice and guidance) book a De-Stress & Relax Treatment Package