Six tips to help you stress less

Though we can’t plan for many of life's stressful events, some do come with a calendar date.

If there's a day coming up that’s going to need a tough conversation, appointment, or meeting, consider what you can do to reduce as much stress as possible on that day.

Should you book a taxi or Uber in advance? Reach out to a friend or family member who can come with you or meet you afterwards? Pre-prepare meals so you don't need to cook? It's these little things that can go a long way to making the event less stressful.  

Depending on the life event you’re dealing with, many of us experience pressure to bounce back quickly and effortlessly – whether the pressure is coming from yourself or others. Just remember that everyone is different and there is no one-size-fits-all script for these experiences.

Setting achievable goals will help. This could mean going for walks rather than 15km runs. Or aiming to add just one new vegetable to your diet every day for a week. Or ticking off one life-admin job.

By taking things one day at a time and breaking down the mountains in front of you into tiny stones can put things into perspective and help you feel less overwhelmed.  

When we're having a difficult time, we all want to reach for the chocolate and the bottle of wine. But research has now shown that healthy eating is critical to good mental health as well as physical health. So, try to get lots of different types of plant foods into your diet and minimise your junk foods - without beating yourself up when you do occasionally indulge.

Addressing these habits will also help with sleep. By prioritising getting enough sleep is one of the best things we can do to make each day more manageable. 

While spending the day in bed and watching Netflix may be tempting, getting your body moving, even if it's just a walk or a short workout, is a great way to help with stress. Research has shown that physical activity, particularly if it also involves spending time in nature, is a great way to reduce feelings of stress and boost your mood.

If going to the gym doesn’t inspire much excitement, consider lounge room dance parties for one, dog walks, signing up for a netball or soccer team, or finding an exercise buddy. 

Self-care can be put on the back burner when we have a lot on our plates. But making time to do something relaxing or that we enjoy every day ­– even if just for a short time – can have big effects on our wellbeing and our ability to handle whatever is happening in life. 

"Taking even ten minutes out of our day to do something that releases serotonin and endorphins can break the stress cycle human bodies experience in crisis," says McHugh. "This looks different to everyone, it could be slow deep breathing, exercise, hugs, having a big cry or laugh, meditation, or engaging in something creative. It's about making time to be present in our bodies and in the moment." 

Whatever is going on in your life, you don't need to go through it alone. Reach out to your friends and let them know if you’re not coping. If you feel you need greater support, it is always a good idea to (also) talk to a mental health professional. There is also some great information and resources online at your disposal at Lifeline, Beyond Blue or Black Dog.