We all experience times in life where we feel stressed or worried- whether that’s due to health concerns, work pressures, issues in our personal life, or other. It can be difficult to switch off and unwind when we go through these times, and our minds can become preoccupied with anxious thoughts.
If you’re or someone you love is experiencing a stressful time, or even just a difficult day, we’ve put together our top tips for relaxing when these negative thoughts won’t subside.
- Talk to someone
Connecting with the people we love and care about is a great way to destress- you’ll never feel better if you sit alone with your stressful thoughts. Talk through what’s causing you stress, or don’t! If you’d rather be distracted right now, have a chat about their life or general random topics over a cup of tea.
- Breathing
There are lots of guides online for breathing exercises- for those in the moment bouts of anxiety, and for a longer slower relaxation exercise. The NHS website has some great tips and exercises: Breathing exercises for stress – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Enjoy some self-care
Practicing good self care is a great way to reduce stress, and you should make this a priority during this stressful time. In the foremost, take a hot bath or shower and wash your face, put on clean, comfy clothes and make yourself a drink and snack.
Then, do a self-care activity that you know you enjoy- whether that’s watching TV, reading, doing craft, doing a crossword, calling a friend, baking, or something else.
- Avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms
Turning to unhealthy habits can be highly tempting when we are stressed. Instead of turning to a quick fix unhealthy strategy (we can all admit to some), prioritise doing some of our other recommendations. Whilst they may not give you the same in the moment feel good that most unhealthy coping strategies do, they are much better for you in the long term.
- Gain perspective
Remember that difficult times and feelings of stress always pass and reduce. Remembering this and speaking to the people around you can help you gain some perspective on your current worries.
- Prioritise caring for your health
When we are stressed, our own wellbeing can often take a backseat. Remember you can’t pour from an empty cup, and looking after yourself is more important now than ever. Make sure you are getting at least 8 hours
We hope these tips can offer you some practical guidance to get through your stressful time. With self-care and proactive coping mechanisms, you can unwind and relieve these feelings in a positive, healthy way!