Stress Tips to Make Life Easier and a little less stressful

1  Make deep Diaphragmatic breathing part of your every day stress management routine

2  Do some moderate exercise, it boosts immune function. Do it regularly, at least 3 or 4 times a week for at least 30 minutes (or 3 lots of 10 to 15mins). Brisk walking is ideal and can be fun too.

3  Listen to soft relaxing music, let your mind drift to pleasant thoughts. Loving or meaningful pictures can also help to pleasantly relax your mind; carry one or two with you!

4  Eat healthy. Eating more unprocessed fresh food is good for you. Eat lean meat or fish, dark green vegetables and fruit high in antioxidants, e.g. an apple aday keeps the Dr. away! Moderation is key

5  Eat 1oz (25 grams) of dark chocolate daily, this can help to reduce blood pressure and help to prevent heart disease

6  Spoil yourself, go for a soft tissue massage at least once a month. This stimulates oxytocin; one of our love/bonding chemicals

7  Work on building good relationships. If you love or like someone, the value of that love is in the experience of it; not the knowledge of it. When we feel love, it is a chemically driven response within our brain and one which helps to regulate stress and anxiety

8  Avoid stimulants, mood and mind altering drugs. Whilst these appear to alleviate stress, long term they actually increase it; and they’re not good for You either!

9  Take up a stress busting hobby or activity, e.g. dancing, chess, Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi etc. Also engage in brain stimulating games, crosswords, soduko etc. keep the white and grey matter active!

10  Learn to discover your inner self and develop a good loving relationship with yourself; at the end of the day it all starts and ends with you. So learn to love and accept yourself. We are not perfect; and fortunately we don’t have to be!

Thom