5 Ways to Make 2022 Stress Free

74% of UK adults have admitted to feeling overwhelmed due to stress. That’s three-quarters of the UK population.

Managing work commitments, school deadlines, and home duties can become hectic. Attempting to juggle these responsibilities can easily cause stress.  

Stress has been linked to strokes, IBS, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and alopecia – to name a few. Monitoring your stress levels isn’t only vital to your mental health, but to your physical health too.

To help achieve a stress-free life, check out the five tips below…

Exercise More

Fitting in another activity to your busy schedule may seem like a tall order. However, setting time aside to exercise will improve your stress levels.

Exercise is proven to help mental health struggles. By working out, you’re forcing your mind to focus on the task at hand. All worries and stress will melt away while you concentrate on exercising.

This doesn’t mean you need to join a gym. Your workout could be a jog around a nearby park, yoga in a secluded spot, or even dancing around your home. No matter what exercise you choose, your stress levels are bound to decrease as long as you’re working your body.

Prioritise Your Health

As mentioned above, stress has a massive effect on the body. From heart disease to IBS, your body suffers significantly from stress.

66% of adults in the UK admit to postponing doctor appointments. Many do this because they don’t believe their problem is “that bad”, while others often give up due to a lack of suitable appointment times. Regardless of the reason, putting off trips to the doctor can worsen health issues.

Make sure to keep on top of your health by attending routine appointments and booking in to see your doctor when you don’t feel right. Consider protecting yourself further by getting health insurance to beat wait times.

Get Enough Sleep

Extreme levels of stress can lead to sleep loss. Stressed individuals are more likely to develop insomnia due to this.

Lack of sleep can cause irritability and lack of concentration. These side effects can affect your work, family life, and school performance which can cause stress. This begins a vicious circle.

Try a screen ban an hour before bed to beat insomnia and encourage better sleeping habits. Aim for a scheduled bedtime and avoid naps during the day to encourage tiredness. Plus, make sure your bedroom is suitable for promoting sleep. It should be cool, quiet, and dark for the best rest.  

Make Time for You

Running around after others can take its toll on you. Overworking can lead to burnout, and stress levels will soar.

That’s why it’s essential to make time for what you want to do. What are your hobbies? What makes you relax? By fitting in some “me time”, you will fight against those stressed feelings.

Also, make time to practise self-care. Everyone’s self-care routine is different so take time to find out what suits you. This could be a walk in the evening to unwind, meditation in the morning, or jotting down thoughts into a journal before bed.

Reprogramme Your Thinking

Going into 2022, make it your goal to reframe your thinking. Leave your negative thoughts in 2021 and focus on positivity going forward.

If your glass usually is half-empty, try looking at things differently. Make an effort to be grateful for what you have rather than focusing on things you don’t.

To commit to this way of thinking, practice mindfulness. Mindfulness encourages you to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. By accepting feelings and letting them go, you will become happier.

Here’s to a Happy and Healthy 2022!

Your new year is bound to be stress-free by following these tips. Remember to keep active, prioritise your health, sleep enough while practising self-care and mindfulness.

It’s easy to fall into a pit of despair by only focusing on the negative. However, it’s time to get excited for the coming year. Who knows what it holds?