9 Simple Ways To Reduce Stress & Feel Better

15 Jun 2016

Sometimes life can get a little too much and we feel overwhelmed. It might be a combination of issues, such as impossible work deadlines, a lack of sleep, relationship problems, or, for flustered parents, the thought of entertaining children during the endless school holidays.

Stress has a nasty habit of showing up in your skin, from flare-ups of unpleasant skin conditions such as eczema and acne to dark shadows under your eyes and the onset of that dreaded washed-out look. If you’re nodding as you read these words, try one of more or these tips to feel better.

Take some time for yourself : If you feel like life is one long whirlwind of ‘what’s next’, you probably need to put the brakes on. Try to take just one night a week to look after you. Once work is over for the day or the kids are in bed, run a bath, light some candles and enjoy a long, luxurious soak. For a mini-spa effect put on your favourite relaxing music in the background. Gently exfoliate skin to remove those dead skin cells and reveal healthy skin underneath. Complete your pampering with My Trusty’s body butter to lock in much needed moisture to your skin after bathing.

Watch your diet (and drink more water) : Sensible food choices will help you to manage your stress levels in a healthy way – and they aren’t all boring. Vitamin C, found in tomatoes, broccoli, red and green peppers and citrus fruits such as orange and grapefruit, helps to relieve stress. Omega 3 fatty acids in tuna and salmon will also reduce anxiety. Try walnut and flaxseeds if you don’t like fish. Finally, in the age old tradition of saving the best for last, dark chocolate is full of anti-oxidants, lowers stress levels and boost your mood – and not just because it’s chocolate! Remember, all things in moderation. Dehydration can contribute to feelings of lethargy too so drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Get outside : Being cooped up in an office all year round can be detrimental to your sense of well-being as well as the condition of your skin. Take advantage of the last few weeks of summer to get out into the countryside or, even better, take a trip to the beach. Let the sound of the waves lull you into a deeply relaxed state. The healthy negative ions in the sea air will not only help you feel more energised but you’ll sleep soundly at the end of a long day. Sea air also has a positive effect on irritating skin conditions like psoriasis. Just don’t forget your SPF and a suitable aftersun product.

Breathe : When we’re stressed we automatically hunch our shoulders and forget to breathe! If you’re feeling close to breaking point, count to ten and breathe deeply and slowly, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. A few moments taken to compose yourself will help to calm elevated feelings of anxiety and stave off a distressed or angry outburst.

Shut down and log off : When did you last take a media detox? Too much reliance on digital connections increases stress levels. Try writing down the time you spend online each day for social purposes over a one week period, as well as the time spent text messaging and watching TV. The results may surprise you. Switch off your social devices, just for a few hours and follow the advice in point one above; take some time for yourself with an indulgent evening and our bodybutter. Fragranced with neroli, orange and bergamot, it will also boost your mood and energy levels.

Be grateful : Expressing gratitude will enable you to put things into perspective. Write down just three things you have to be grateful for in your life right now. It may be your health, your friends, your family or your children. The act of literally counting your blessings can help to offset persistent feelings of anxiety.

Get moving : Get out for a leisurely walk or bike ride, or take part in low-impact activities that promote relaxation such as yoga, tai chi or pilates. If you prefer a more energetic way to burn off feelings of restlessness, go for a jog or join a spin class. Incorporating exercise into your weekly routine will boost your endorphin levels and aid stress relief. To soothe aching muscles, apply My Trusty’s body butter after your post work-out shower; with shea butter as a key ingredient it will minimise the onset of soreness.

Get more sleep : Most of us can get away with four or five hours of sleep a night in the short-term but persistent sleep deprivation leads to increased levels of anxiety as well as exacerbating health problems. To improve poor sleeping habits, avoid caffeine from late afternoon onwards and switch off your TV and social media feed before you go to bed. A cool, dark, quiet room will aid restful sleep, With the relaxing properties of lavender, our lavender scented sunflower cream may help you to relax when applied before bedtime.

Laugh : Laughter is the best medicine. Put on your favourite comedy or spend quality time with friends who share your sense of humour and always bring a smile to your face. A few hours absorbed in looking at the funnier side of life will alleviate those feelings of it all being too much.

If you do suffer from stress related skin breakouts, our sunflower cream contains 5% sunflower oil and may help to calm irritating skin conditions.

Don’t struggle on alone – if your feelings of anxiety and stress persist or become too overwhelming, consult your GP.

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