Stress Awareness Month

It’s April where has the time gone? It feels like only yesterday I was in my first year of university, struggling to find my lecture hall, looking squeaky-clean, with not a care in the world. Now I am a third year still struggling to find lecture hall, but looking more like I haven't slept in weeks with a coffee cup glued to my hand. Not only am I a third year at university but also I am entering my final month at university and then I will out in the "real world". Life can be stressful whether you're in education, working, or just trying cope with the everyday struggles life throws at you. This April we are stressing that you are not alone and there are so many tips and tricks to keep you afloat no matter the situation or time of year. Stress awareness month has been going since 1992, probably a less stressful year than 2019.

With so much going on and so much anxiety around today, it is so important that we take time out to relax and I know sometimes that can see like such an impossible task your mind is constantly running a million miles per hour. Here are a few tips I have picked up to help me along the way (remember everybody is different so what works for me may not work for you). Exercise, it’s an odd one but exercise is so good for lifting your mood, takes your mind off the stress and helps you get fitter. I know going to the gym can make you feel so self-conscious, I definitely did, but the more you go the more confident you will get. Mindfulness is amazing it just brings you back and recenters you, Stretching and mindful breathing are my favourites it's great when you're trying to work but your mind just won't focus, just take a few minutes to breathe and stretch, it will help you to refocus on the task you are doing. For more mindful tips I recommend the little book of mindfulness. Writing down thoughts and things you need to remember always makes me feel better, it helps me get out my feelings in a healthy way and I know if I write down what I need to do it’s going put my mind at ease, also if I write it down I am sure I am not going to forget it which is half the stress taken away. Helping others, this is such a big one for me there is nothing I enjoy more than helping someone, even if it's just something small, I get so much happiness and joy by making someone's day just a little bit happier. That is why I volunteer once a week, it's a great way to boost self confidence. Boots and Holland & Barrett sell a range of great herbal products to lower stress as well, some of which I have tried myself. For more tips and information on stress please visit stress.org.uk if you have any other tips that help you de-stress please let us know in the comments below.