The month of April is dedicated to promoting stress. Unfortunately, a staggering amount of people endure high levels of stress on a regular basis. In the past year, it was reported by The Mental Health Foundation that 71% of people had felt so stressed that they were overwhelmed. It was also reported that:
- 51% of adults who feel stressed reported that they also felt depressed, and 61% said that they were anxious.
- 37% of adults who reported that they felt stressed also said they felt lonely.
Stress is something most of us have experienced and is extremely common. However, while it may be common, many of us don’t know how damaging it can be, and more importantly, how to destress. So what can we do?
How does stress affect the body?
Many people do not understand the damaging effects stress can have on the body. For instance, when we endure high levels of stress, it can cause
- Insomnia
- Chest pains
- Headaches
- Low energy
- An upset stomach
What can I do for Stress Awareness Month to help me destress?
Balanced Diet
When we are going through stressful periods in our lives, it is very easy to fall into bad habits— such as a lack of exercise, a poor social life, and a poor diet. So how can we curve these bad habits? Meal prepping and planning your food shop are great ways to feel enthusiastic and less stressed about food.
While a healthy, well-rounded diet won’t combat your stresses, it can help you feel good, and eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated. With retailers like HelloFresh, eating healthy is one less stress. You can get pre-portioned meals that are quick, simple, hassle-free, and are delivered right to your door. Get £15 off your first 4 recipe boxes with our discount!
Exercise
It might sound simple, but exercise is a great way to help decompress when dealing with stressful things in your life. Exercise is well known for its psychological benefits and can often help shift your mood.
All exercise is good exercise. Don’t get sucked into the idea you have to become an Olympic gold medallist to feel better. Any form of exercise will help. Go for a run, a walk with the dog, go for a swim. Whatever is your preferred choice of exercise, moving your body can help lead to a more positive mental attitude.
Looking to upgrade your fitness goals? Don’t forget that you can get huge savings on sports & fitness equipment at Argos.
Form a routine
In many cases, creating and sticking with a routine can be a great way to deal with stress. A consistent routine not only helps with your sleep, but it can trigger the brain to identify your routine as a comforting part of your life.
Also, keeping the mind active and occupied are great mechanisms. By doing this, it means you have less idle time to sit around and think about the things that are stressing you out. Don’t forget to schedule some downtime for breaks, to relax and to have fun. Balance is key.
New Hobby
Sometimes, finding a new activity to distract your brain is a great way to engage your creativity and destress. Many people take up gardening, start reading, listen to audiobooks, and practice yoga to disconnect. Want to adventure into the world of audiobooks? Remember that carers can save 50% off the first 3 months of membership with Audible.
Take a Bath
After a long day (or week), a bath is a great way to relax and destress. Carving time out of your day to draw a bath and soak means you are holding yourself accountable to treat yourself to some well-deserved self-care.
Why not upgrade your bath to an aromatherapy experience with candles, scents, or essential oils? Remember, Carers can get significant savings from a range of brands when shopping at Superdrug.
Discussion
Dealing with stress can often be a case by case basis. What works for some people might not work for others. So, if you know someone who is stressed out, try speaking with them and sharing your coping techniques. By having an open conversation, you are destigmatising the discussion around mental health, reaching out, and sharing helpful advice.
So, how do you destress after a long week? We would love to know. Why not head over to our social media platforms and let us know how you handle stress. We’d love to hear from you! Also, don’t forget to sign up and become a member. It is free to join, and our members get access to our incredible discounts!
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