Stress Awareness Day: Five tips on how to de-stress at home
28 October 2021Stress is something that we all experience at some point in our lives. It could relate to work, money or even relationships and some of us are better at dealing with it than others. Wednesday 3rd November 2021 marks Stress Awareness Day so we wanted to highlight what you can do to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of stress. Read on to discover how stress affects the body, why stress management is important and what you can do to combat stress at home.
Why do we feel stressed?
It’s important to remember that stress and feeling under pressure is a normal part of life. Millions of us deal with stress, sometimes on a daily basis, but it’s important to recognise when you are feeling overwhelmed as it could lead to mental health problems.
The pandemic has certainly elevated our levels of stress with 29.5% of adults aged 18 and over reporting a clinically significant level of psychological distress in April 2020 compared to 20.8% in 2019 (source: Gov.uk). Stress is often triggered by new, unexpected or threatening situations and some may particularly start to panic when faced with something which is out of their control. Symptoms of stress include nausea, dizziness, headaches, chest pain and muscle tension.
Some of us tackle stress well and even relish in it. For example, many can harness that stressful energy and use it to achieve their goals such as over-preparing for a job interview or taking those first steps out of an unhealthy relationship. Managing stress is important though so learn to recognise when you need to tackle it before you feel too overwhelmed.
Five top tips on how to deal with stress at home
There are many things you can do from the comfort of your own home to ease the symptoms of stress. Here are just a few of our top tips:
Look after your body. Stress takes a tremendous toll on our bodies so it is important to take a step back and assess what you can do to take care of yourself whilst you are feeling stressed. You can start by ensuring you get at least seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Sleep is vital as it allows our brains to switch off, rejuvenate and re-energise ready to take on the next day. Struggling to sleep? The Calm app offers plenty of guided sleep meditations to help you drift off. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet as well as exercising regularly is also important. Exercise pumps up your endorphins so can improve your overall mood. Whether you enjoy a heart-pumping aerobic workout or like to slow down with some yoga, both can be extremely beneficial.
Indulge in aromatherapy. Several studies have shown that soothing scents can decrease anxiety and improve sleep (source: PubMed). After a particularly stressful day, curl up on the sofa, grab a fluffy blanket and light some candles. The soft glow of candlelight can promote a calming atmosphere and basking in scents such as lavender, rose, orange blossom, ylang ylang and bergamot can assist with reducing stress levels. One of our favourite candles is Real Luxury from Neom’s Scent to Destress range.
Put pen to paper. Many find it helpful to write down what is bothering them in a journal. The act of transferring cluttering thoughts onto paper can help you feel like you’re mentally unloading what is bothering you. When we read things back, we can often gain a little perspective and can find it easier to come up with a plan on how we tackle our problems. Practicing gratitude can also help. Try writing down what you are grateful for to help you realise what is important in life. If you are a stationary lover, you can enjoy picking out your journal from Papier which boasts a range of beautiful journals.
Run yourself a bubble bath. There’s just something about a hot bath that instantly makes us feel more relaxed. The bubbles, the scented bath oils, the warm water, it can all relieve a day’s stress. In fact, it’s been scientifically proven. Submergence in hot water can reduce pain, inflammation and also calm the nervous system, reducing levels of stress and anxiety (source: Pentucket Medical). Team a bubble bath with aromatherapy and meditation to really unwind and pick out a soothing bath bomb. Lush have some great options.
Talk and laugh with a loved one. Having a strong social support network can relieve the feelings of stress. Ensure to talk to someone about what is on your mind and remember that famous saying, a problem shared is a problem halved. One study found that people who discussed their problems with a friend had a lower pulse and blood pressure (source: Piedmont). Try inviting a small group of friends and family to your home and enjoy an evening full of laughter, fun and games. You could even pick out a funny movie or plan all the exciting adventures you would like to have in 2022.
We hope you have found our top five tips on how to relieve stress at home useful. Remember to take some time out for yourself this Stress Awareness Day. It’s been a tough 18 months for us all, so we need to ensure we look after ourselves this winter. If you are feeling overwhelmed, please always seek advice from your GP.
For more information on Stress Awareness Day and how to manage feelings of stress and anxiety, click here.