Organised by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA) UK, #StressAwarenessWeek is an annual event dedicated to stress management and combating the stigma of stress and mental health issues.
Whilst stress is a perfectly normal reaction to a threat (it prepares you for ‘fight or flight’), it becomes something quite different when you face ongoing threats and challenges. The most helpful thing to remember is to focus on what you can do – a behaviour you’re in control of.
Here are some of our top tips for dealing with everyday worries, reducing stress and boosting your wellbeing.
London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Along with high housing costs, the cost of living remains a worry for many Londoners, but there are some things you can do to help you cope with financial pressures.
- Create a household budget planner and shop around to see if you can reduce any regular bills.
- Talk to someone you trust – they might be going through something similar and you could support each other.
- Remember that life is always uncertain – worrying about the worst-case scenario won’t change the outcome!
- Get help if you’re struggling with your finances (we provide links to support organisations at the end of this article).
London has a fantastic energy – there’s so much to do and see – but what if the fast pace of life in the city starts to feel too much?
- Be kind to yourself by prioritising exercise, self-care and sleep.
- Make a conscious decision to do less – it’s OK to say no to extra work or social activities if you simply don’t have the time or head space.
- Learn some breathing exercises to lower your stress levels.
- Connect with nature whenever possible – go for a walk in your local park or, if you have some outside space at home, do some gardening.
According to the Office for National Statistics, eight of the 10 places in England with the longest work weeks are in London. Here’s our advice for avoiding burnout in the workplace.
- Establish some boundaries, such as leaving the office at a certain time and not responding to emails in the evenings.
- Focus on creating a good work-life balance – make time for hobbies and seeing friends, always use your annual leave, and try to get enough sleep.
- Take short breaks throughout the day and a proper lunch break (head outside, go to the gym, eat a healthy lunch).
- If your workload is unmanageable, talk to your manager – they might be able to help you prioritise your tasks, delegate work to colleagues, and offer time management training.
- If you’re struggling at work and it’s getting you down, find out what wellbeing support is available for employees (this might include support from Mental Health First Aiders or an employee assistance programme that offers a free helpline)
With Londoners’ average journey time to work taking 47 minutes, how can you improve your commute?
- Switch up your journey – could you take the bus rather than the tube or travel outside of rush hour?
- Listen to your favourite playlist (research shows that music can help to reduce anxiety).
- Learn something new by reading a book or listening to a podcast.
- Focus on your thoughts and feelings – you might like to download a mindfulness or meditation app (we link to free NHS-approved apps available to Good Thinking users at the end of this article).
- Incorporate physical exercise into your commute – could you walk some of the way or start cycling to work?
Research by the Campaign to End Loneliness shows that 1 in 12 Londoners experience loneliness. Here are a few things you can do to connect with new people and feel less isolated.
• Arrange to see friends and family whenever you can and stay in touch in between.
• Be physically active – could you join your local leisure centre or take part in Parkrun?
• Sign up for a course so you can meet new people and learn new skills.
• Volunteer for a local charity – giving to others will have a positive effect on you too.
• Join a community group, such as The Great London Friendship Project.
