In 1988, Carole Spiers founded National Stress Awareness Day and to celebrate its 20th anniversary, established the first-ever International Stress Awareness Week in 2018.
Carole has shared with us her top 20 tips to combat stress.
- Laugh: It’s one of the healthiest antidotes to stress. When we laugh, even smile, flood flow to the brain is increased, endorphins [pain killing hormones that give us a sense of wellbeing], are released, and levels of stress hormones drop.
- Socialise: Don’t be a loner. Isolation has been tied to failure to cope adequately with stress, heightened vulnerability to illness and premature death.
- Get rid of anger: It is the single most damaging stress-related personality trait that can precede a heart attack.
- Be decisive: Indecision prevents you from taking action, causing a loss of a sense of control and thus intensifying stress.
- Be assertive: Stand up for your decision, express your feelings, disagree with others when you feel differently.
- Get some sleep: Lack of adequate sleep can make you moody, angry and more vulnerable to illness and your daily stressors.
- Choose positive people: Seek the company of those who are optimistic and have high self-esteem and contribute to lower stress levels to those around them.
- Find someone who will listen: Talk to them or seek professional help. Choose wisely as you don’t necessarily want someone who will just give you their opinion.
- Recharge your batteries with adequate sleep and rest: Stop! When you are tired, do something about it.
- Prevent excess pressure tomorrow by saying ‘No’ today”. By saying ‘yes’ to everyone, you may well take on too much stress.
- When you are ill – don’t pretend you are not! It may just not go away so seek professional help.
- Recognise and acknowledge what you cannot change. Learn what is inside and outside of your control. You can only do something about that which is within your control.
- Manage your time better. Prioritise and delegate. Make sure you have at least 20 minutes ‘me time’ every day.
- Don’t put off relaxing. Learn stress reduction techniques and use them daily. It doesn’t matter what you choose, just make sure you know how to do it.
- Avoid self-medication with nicotine, alcohol, coffee and tranquilisers. When you are feeling stressed, don’t just resort to drinking.
- Use physical activities to work off stress whether that be walking, swimming or dancing – just do it!
- Don’t be too argumentative. Life should not a constant battleground.
- Don’t go to bed with your phone or other electronics. Leave them outside of the bedroom door!
- Working on your breathing. Relax. Breathe deeply. Visualise something pleasurable.
- Practice mindfulness. Make gratitude a part of your routine. Increase your awareness. Watch the world go by. Take control of your thoughts. Enjoy the present moment.