Helping you manage stress, reduce anxiety and feel more balanced

As you navigate through uncertain times, you may be feeling stressed, overwhelmed or anxious. You are not alone, whatever you’re going through. Whether you’re feeling lonely, unwell, stressed at work, worried about your finances, navigating difficult relationships or trying to manage competing responsibilities, we all need support at times.

Here are a few tips to help you reduce stress and anxiety levels and reconnect your mind and body.

Reflect with compassionate curiosity

When we’re experiencing an emotionally turbulent time, it can help to self-soothe and self-regulate as best we can with the resources we have. By listening to our body and paying attention to our thoughts and feelings, while maintaining compassion for ourselves, we can learn to respond to stressful triggers more mindfully.

I find the APPLE technique helpful:

• Acknowledge, accept and be open to what you’re experiencing in the now.
• Pause and take a deep breath.
• Pull back into a compassionate and observing place.
• Let go and imagine the “space” between the stimulus and response where a choice lies.
• Explore the present moment.

We can extend the act of building a compassionate attitude to a compassionate self-care routine, such as taking time to read, meditate or watch a funny, feel-good film; whatever feels nourishing for your mind, body and soul.

Reconnect to yourself

Periods of uncertainty can affect how we relate to ourselves and others. They may also make us question what matters, what feels meaningful and what we need more of in our lives.

This can be a time to check in with yourself gently. What do you need right now? What support would help? What feels most important? By reconnecting to ourselves and others with honesty and care, we can move towards a place of greater steadiness.

Restore your mind and body by focusing on the breath

As Eckhart Tolle said: “Be aware of your breathing. Notice how this takes attention away from your thinking and creates space.”

Breathing can help us observe our thoughts with curiosity and compassion. The simple act of breathing in for five seconds and out for five seconds can support the body’s relaxation response and help us return to a calmer place within.

Rejuvenate through movement

The simple yet powerful act of movement, whether it’s yoga, a deep stretch or a walk in nature, can help release stress and tension in both mind and body. Choose whatever is possible and safe for you in that moment.

Moving the body can help boost mood, create a sense of balance and support sleep. And the more we support restorative sleep, the more we support our overall wellbeing and mental health.

Rediscover and reinvigorate your creativity

Uncertain times can disconnect us from playfulness and creativity. What creative pursuit have you put aside due to a busy life, or because of an old belief that you’re not quite good enough?

You might pick up a paintbrush, write in a journal, cook something new, make music or try a craft. Whatever creative outlet feels right for you, allowing yourself to create can help you reconnect with expression, play and a sense of possibility.