I’ve always called myself a bit of a stress head, as I’m an over thinker, worrier and I panic about the most minute things in life.

Anxious mind, hey?!

And yes, it is something that I’m trying to work on. As we know stress does a number on your body if it gets too much, or persistent.

I say this because whilst I joke about being a stress head, over the past couple of years stress has impacted my health in ways I didn’t imagine. Whilst I’m still relatively healthy, I now have ‘conditions’ that I have to control thanks to letting stress get the better of me.

It was only the end of last year the doctor told me my recurring issues are stress induced and she warned me to do my best to get a hold on my stress levels.

Not only myself, but with those closest to me, I’ve seen the impact stress has had and is having on their lives and it’s not good.

In order to get a hold on my stress, I’ve done the following things to bring a sense of calm and stillness to my life that is very much needed! 

How I reduce my stress levels

1. Investing in a mood journal

Having a mood journal has been game changing for me! 

As someone whose mood fluctuates a lot (part of being a hormonal woman), taking note of how I was feeling was crucial. Especially when I tend to hold onto things, particularly things that annoy or upset me. But by writing these thoughts down, they have helped me voice them so I feel like I’m being heard and can ultimately let them go quicker! 

Letting these things pass has helped reduce the stress I feel, as I’m not pent up and worrying about things that I most likely have zero control over. 

2. Switching my radio station

This is such a small thing, but has a BIG impact. 

As they say, external factors can influence how you feel and this is true, even when it comes to small things like what you watch and listen to.

If I feel stressed or overwhelmed; listening to upbeat, loud music really isn’t going to help – it’s just going to ramp up my stress levels.

Instead, after a stressful day at work and on my drive home, I switch my radio station to magic chilled or even magic soul. 9 times out of 10 the music on these stations help to instantly switch my mood and bring me a sense of calm.

I’ll reminisce listening to music from the past thinking: “what a classic!”, whilst massively impressing myself that I can still remember all the words to said 90s tune. 

It transports me to a time where I was calmer, care free – a place where I’d much rather mentally be!

3. Changing my journey when commuting

I have changed my journey to work, to one that is less chaotic.

No one wants to feel like they’ve already done a day’s work before they’ve even started their day job. It doesn’t make you feel good and it certainly doesn’t get your day off to a great start mentally.

So I have switched things up to ensure my journey is smoother, a more pleasant drive and avoids the busier areas, to keep my stress levels low. 

4. Running my errands earlier at the weekend

At the weekend when I have the usual adult errands to run, I try to do it earlier in the morning (especially the weekly food shop) in the hope that less people are around.

Doing my shop and errands in a quieter, less chaotic environment helps keep me calm and avoids the stress levels ramping up. Just me that can’t stand most people in busy supermarkets?!

And not to mention click and collect food shop – it’s been an absolute game changer for me. Lower stress levels and saves me time too! 

5. Being consistent with the gym

Whilst I started the gym for a weight loss reason, I’m predominantly at the gym for mental health reasons too.

I’ve said before that the gym is the only place where my brain will switch off and focus on the task in front of me. Where I can push myself to do things I don’t think I’m capable of, achieving new goals and where possible smashing PBs is definitely one of my all time favourite things to do. 

Consistency at the gym is key to improving my mood and my mental health. Movement is key for your health both physical and mental – that’s why gym will always be something I prioritise in my life. 

6. Taking time to read

Escaping into another world is another one of my most favourite things to do. When I’m stressed, upset, angry or (insert any other type of emotion here) just throw a book, blanket and cup of tea at me. Maybe hold throwing the tea though for health and safety reasons – but you get the idea!

Transporting yourself into another world, with other characters, other dilemmas and life situations helps me to stop thinking about the things that are worrying me the most. I do my best to switch off and immerse myself into fictional land to help lower my stress levels. 

7. Time ban on social media

Yes! This one is key! 

It’s something I’m still working on to make it a habit but I’ve started to put a time ban on my usage of social media, particularly in the evening. I can’t ban myself during the day because my job requires me to check social media on an almost daily basis, so this isn’t possible.

But I can control my activity levels in the evening. Currently, I’m not allowed on social media after 10pm and over time I will gradually bring this to an earlier time.

We all know that social media is both a gift and a curse as there’s good and bad, but what I do notice is that too much time on social media leaves me feeling agitated, overstimulated and not to mention annoyed that I’ve just spent the last hour doom scrolling looking at utter rubbish.

But to top it off most of the things you view don’t actually have a positive impact on your mental state. So that’s why I’m starting to give myself a time ban and where possible a digital detox is always a good idea! 

Other things I do to reduce stress

• Practising yoga 
• Breathing techniques 
• Go for a long solo walk 
• Sit outside and take note of nature around me
• Hydrate myself
• Make sure I get a good night’s sleep, or longer sleep where possible
• Keep my phone away from me i.e. in another room where I can’t see it 

If you struggle with managing your stress levels, I hope my tips have helped! And if you have any other ideas that I haven’t mentioned, please let me know – I’d love to hear them!