Five simple ways to manage everyday 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 of Jesus in Christian culture); 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. 

Self-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. 

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 break the first Tuesday of every month.

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.

Having a strong support system and a robust social network can be a great stress buffer. Regularly talking to trusted friends and family members can  help us gain perspective and feel less alone. Sometimes, just knowing we’re heard and understood can ease stress significantly.

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.

Not only can this be traumatising, but it increases our oestrogen levels. In lay terms, oestrogen is known as the ‘love hormone’, but what oestrogen can does is 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.