-”I’m wound up about it.”

-”It’s frying my brain.”

-”I’m under a lot of pressure.”

-”It’s making me feel very overwhelmed.”

Whatever way you phrase it, it’s common to feel stressed about different things in life. 

How do you deal with stress? What do you do to de-stress?

Here are Ingla’s top tips on ways to decrease your stress!

• Go for a walk

Fresh air can make a world of difference! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, go outside for a brief stroll. A change of scenery can do wonders for your outlook on a situation. Even if it’s raining, going for a walk around the block, or through your local park can help you get some breathing space to take a break from that stressful situation. 

• Write down your goals 

Sometimes, life feels chaotic with so many things going on, and too many tasks to remember. One of the ways to de-stress when you feel overwhelmed is to write down, or type up, things in an ordered list (/ several lists!). Identify short-term tasks – those things that need to be done urgently and are important. Consider those other tasks that need to be completed, but aren’t so important. Then consider what goals are important, but don’t need to be done immediately – these are your long-term tasks. Often writing things down in an ordered way, rather than scribbles on many different scraps of paper scattered throughout your bag and desk, can help you feel like you’re more in control of all those things you need to do. It also gives you a way to strategise about what order you can do tasks, as well as what are realistic goals. You can also identify any jobs that you can delegate or get help with.

• Talk to a friend

There’s a saying – ‘A problem shared is a problem halved.’ Talking with a friend is a great way to get a different perspective on the situation, as well as giving you a place to vent frustration. Friends don’t need to solve your problems, sometimes a listening ear is all you need. Have a quick phone call, or schedule a chat over a coffee (virtually or in person). This time spent with a trusted friend is always worth it, and makes such a difference to you and your mental state. 

• Do something relaxing

Spending a bit of time doing something that you enjoy can be a great way to alleviate feelings of stress. Perhaps you like to cook or bake – why not try a new recipe, or your favourite recipe of your Mum’s? Or you could order in some delicious take-away to enjoy with your housemate, or while watching a film. If you have one in your house, why not have a relaxing bubble bath and create a spa experience in your own home with carefully placed candles and gentle music. Or maybe you prefer some rock music and a furious battle ground on your games console! Whichever way you do it, wind down from the stressful situation with a bit of time spent on something pleasurable. 

• Do a sport

Apparently exercise gets feel-good hormones rushing through your body – so do some exercise to de-stress! Go for a run through the local park and admire the beautiful colours of Autumn. Dance along with a zumba or fitness video on YouTube. Play frisbee with a friend in a field. (Wash your hands after!). Cycle to an interesting landmark in your area. Take your neighbour’s dog for a walk. Whatever activity you choose, get moving!

Stress is something that nearly everyone encounters at some point in their life. However, just because it’s common, doesn’t mean that it’s OK. Stress can make us feel sad, angry, overwhelmed, tired, impatient, or grumpy. It’s important not to minimize it – it is a real experience. While there are often many things that are outside our control, why not try one of these things this week to help you deal with your stress levels, even in just a little way? If things are overwhelming you, the best thing that you can do is talk to someone – your friend, someone in your family, your housemate, your religious leader, anonymously to somebody on a helpline (like Samaritans) – anyone! And if you’re part of the Ingla family, we’d love to help you. 

Let me leave you with our Ingla Quote of the Week.

“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” -Theodore Roosevelt.