During this month of stress awareness (April) I thought of taking the opportunity to share with you how I manage stress, I’m not pretending to be an stress management expert, but rather sharing what works for me. We all deal with stress differently and there is not a solution that fits all.
There is also a wealth of information on causes, symptoms, and side effects, so I’ll leave those topics to medical professionals that devote their professional lives to help others.
What is stress management?
We can’t avoid stress, I don’t think humankind has ever been stress-free, but we do have a lot more control than we think.
Effective stress management helps you break the hold stress has on your life, so you can be happier, healthier, more productive and enjoy life and those around you. We all want a balanced life, with time for family, friends, work, relaxation and being able to deal with the pressure of life challenges, because let’s be honest we cannot avoid those.
1. Avoid Social Media first thing in the morning and after I have gone to bed.
Terribly simple and for me it made a great difference. It helps me start my day with a clear and positive mind, rather than being bombarded with reels and images, let alone news that makes me feel I’m waking up 6 hours too late. Not reaching to my mobile at night helps me to kiss good-bye to nasty impostor syndrome and get back into reading which is something that I love and enjoy.
2. Walk outdoors.
For you it might be cycling, sweating in the gym or swimming, but for me it is walking outdoors that makes me feel grounded and I am able to clear my mind, focus in positive thoughts and is when great ideas for future designs pour over me.
I am blessed to live near amazing places, such as Bushy and Richmond Park and the river Thames; all of these make it silly not to take advantage of what I have in my doorsteps.
3. Doing something that I like, even if it is for 15min.
Yes, we all have at least 15min, especially if you have got this far down this article, I can assure you, you have 15 min spare in your day if not more, it’s all about how we manage our time.
What do I like doing that takes only 15min? Reading, drinking a cup of coffee or tea and looking out into the garden, sketch a flower, or text a friend. Taking time off is a real luxury that we all deserve, and certainly help me going back to work and being more productive.
4. Declutter and beautiful spaces.
Once I declutter my desk I have a feeing that I can manage things. The same goes for tidying my inbox or my stock shelves.
Creating a dedicated space for me to work has been paramount, and I always keep beautiful things at reach, whether these are photos, prints or a framed phrase by Mother Theresa that grounds me. The same goes for the rest of my home, that I dare say is always in need of decluttering, but I love surrounding myself with only things that are meaningful and beautiful.
5. Talk to others.
I am fortunate to have a very supportive network of family and friends. I also have a faith that helps me meet the most amazing people. I cannot put a price on this. Talking to others, whether I feel sad, happy, worried or chatting about our last holiday or the weather makes a HUGE difference in my day.
As you can see, these are not ground breaking tips, but they work for me and I hope they remind you, or someone close to you, that stress happens to everyone, at any stage of our lives, it is how we deal with it that makes the difference.
