Stressing about stress
Every now and then, I find myself complaining about the sheer number of special ’days’ or ‘weeks’. Some are fair enough—you won’t find me whinging about National Anti-Bullying Week— but others make less sense (looking at you National Cat Herders Day).
Last week was International Stress Awareness Week. At first glance, that seems a bit unnecessary. After all, who hasn’t heard of stress? Not like it needs much more awareness. But then I got thinking, and had to backtrack.
We know about stress as an idea, or a feeling, but I think there’s still a lack of awareness about stress as a medical condition. Being stressed takes a serious toll on your mental and physical health, and it can lead to long-term issues if left unchecked.
But despite this, some stress is healthy—there’s a reason we evolved that way. A bit of extra adrenaline can do wonders for physical performance, or sharpening up before a big presentation.
What’s the takeaway from this week? I guess, like most things in life, it’s about moderation. A little stress can be helpful. But busy modern lifestyles often go too far. We work too hard, we’re bombarded by stimulation, and we don’t give ourselves the space to recharge. That’s a cycle that can get out of control pretty quickly.
So I asked the team how they like to deal with stress. They all had their own personal ways, but here are some of my favourite.
1. "Light a candle and take a bath 🛁🕯️ OR punch a bag 🥊"
2. "Gym, swim and a long sauna session"
3. "I wake up early before the house gets up, make a tea and read my book in peace. Starts my day off on the right foot."
Personally, I like a good breathing exercise. Give it a go—see for yourself.
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