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April 1, 2025

FIVE SIMPLE WAYS TO AVOID EVERY-DAY STRESS

With Spring in full bloom, it’s hard to avoid the feeling of joy and optimism that this season brings. That’s why many cultures traditionally see Spring as a time for rebirth (think Easter eggs and the resurrection); and some therapists think this is the ideal season for self-care and setting new goals. For the same reason, April is a great time for Stress Awareness Month.

Personal care isn’t selfish - it’s essential.

Between work, social commitments and the endless to-do list, stress sneaks in before we even notice. It is a natural part of life, but when left unchecked, it can take a toll on our mental and physical well-being. That’s why in this month’s blog, we spotlight five practical tips we can all use to notice our stressors, take action to reduce our baseline stress levels, and create conditions that allow us to thrive through the rest of the year.

But first, what is stress? We talk about it all the time, but basically, stress is when our body and mind react to challenges, demands, or pressures - whether from work, relationships, or daily life. It can be physical, emotional, or psychological, triggering our fight-or-flight response and leaving us feeling overwhelmed or drained.

Now that we know what it is, here are five practical steps we can take to avoid or reduce it.

1. Zoom in on one ritual you love

The best kind of stress management is proactive and preventative: it’s doing an action regularly, at a low level, to keep us happy, healthy and stop the stress from piling up. For example, focussing on personal rituals significantly reduces stress levels. Even acts as simple as putting on a hair wrap (our favourite thing), cleansing our face before bed, soaking in a bath or reading a book enhance our wellbeing and help us feel more in control.

The key is turning a moment into a ritual. Consider: what’s your favourite moment of the day? What’s something you love doing but rarely get the chance to? Then think about how to give that small action more space in your day. Love soaking in a bathtub with a book but rarely have the time? Plan to do that fortnightly and literally schedule it in. For our Creative Director, Andrea, for example, it’s a walk through a gallery and a simple massage. After a ski accident left her severely injured and needing to learn to walk again, she now schedules regular rest-time and a half-day midweek break every month.

2. Practice mindful breathing

When stress builds up, our breathing often becomes shallow and rapid. Practicing mindful breathing techniques, such as deep belly breathing or the 4-7-8 method (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and exhale for 8), can help activate the body’s relaxation response.

Good breathing supports our physiology by improving oxygen flow, regulating the nervous system, and reducing stress hormones like cortisol. Deep, mindful breathing lowers heart rate, relaxes muscles, and enhances focus. Over time, it can help prevent anxiety, high blood pressure, and sleep issues by keeping the body in a balanced, restful state.

Just a few minutes of conscious breathing each day can make a noticeable difference in our stress levels. We recommend tuning to Aicha McKenzie’s breathe sessions every Sunday on Instagram, here: https://www.instagram.com/aichamckenzie/. Aicha is a certified breath coach and entrepreneur who founded BreatheByAMCK, offering simple breathwork solutions to transform the mind and body. She provides regular Sunday Breathe classes, exclusive collaborations, and special guest sessions to help individuals relieve everyday stress.

If you're in London, we’re hosting a Stress Awareness Community Event on April 8th with Aicha McKenzie herself. You can mingle with like-minded women, enjoy soothing herbal tea, gain insights on stress management, and experience the power of breath to reset and restore balance. Click the link to reserve your seat now!

3. Do joyful things with the people you love

Most of us are well connected with friends and family on Whatsapp and social media, and although these can help keep us up-to-date, there’s no replacing the joy that comes with sharing experiences with our loved ones. A study highlighted by CNN found that as we grow in our career and family responsibilities, our social circle literally shrinks. That’s why, this April, pick up the phone and arrange an impromptu activity with a friend you’re losing contact with.

Did you know? Our fear of rejection when reaching out to others is often far greater than the reality. Research shows that when you talk to a stranger or reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, there's about a 90% chance they’ll respond positively. That means there are probably many people out there who’d welcome hearing from you - people thinking about the memories you shared and quietly wondering how you’re doing.

Consider deepening a friendship with someone you know. Ryan Hubbard calls this “repotting the friendship” - taking a connection that may have started in one environment (like work or school) and nurturing it in a new one. For example, hanging out with a work friend outside of the office can deepen the bond and help the relationship grow in a more sustainable way. It’s a powerful reminder that relationships can evolve - and thrive - when we give them new soil to grow in.

If this resonates with you, check out this podcast episode, Science of Happiness. It discusses reconnecting, overcoming the fear of reaching out, and building lasting friendships in adult life.

On the flipside, overcommitting ourselves quickly leads to burnout. Learning to say ‘no’ is a challenge for any high-achiever (and if you’re in this community, chances are you are one!). Practice saying ‘no’ to things you don’t want to do; drain your energy or affect your mood.

4. Get off social media (if you can)

Social media has become a massive battle-ground for information warfare. This means that States are increasingly using social networks, Telegram channels and influencers to get us to feel a certain way on specific issues so we support their foreign policy objectives. They do this by flooding the zone with negative messaging designed to make us feel stressed, afraid, and to trigger a fight-or-flight response in our system. This is incredibly stressful on our bodies and terrible for our mental health.

Not only can this be traumatising, but it increases our oestrogen levels. In day-to-day terms, oestrogen is known as the ‘love hormone’, but research shows that oestrogen has a darker side. It can bind us to an ‘ingroup’ and make an ‘outgroup’ the enemy, without any nuance.

It’s ok to switch it off. Stepping away from negative environments does not mean ignoring bad things: it’s about being anchored in our values and knowing that to contribute in the world, we have to look after ourselves. If you find yourself getting agitated by a specific source, podcast or channel, seek out other, more balanced, sources; this helps maintain our ability to understand people sitting on the other side of the aisle (even if we struggle to agree with them) and stops us from being used by others.

I’m definitely practicing this. I’ve now turned off all social media notifications, and have all social accounts on a separate device that I check occasionally (once or twice a week). Not only has this improved my mood, it has enabled me to better focus on tasks and hugely improved my output and productivity.

5. Engage in any creative outlet

Finally, creativity can be a powerful stress reliever. Whether it’s painting, writing, gardening, or even experimenting with new hairstyles, engaging in a creative activity allows us to express ourselves and shift our focus away from stressors. Creativity doesn’t have to be perfect - it’s about the process of enjoyment and self-expression.

Conclusion

Stress is inevitable, but how we handle it makes all the difference. By incorporating these simple yet effective strategies into our daily lives, we can create a healthier, more balanced routine. This Stress Awareness Month, take a moment to check in with yourself and make stress management a priority. Your well-being matters!

What do you think about these tips? How do you manage stress? Contribute your thoughts and favourite de-stressing techniques in the comments! 💚