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Stress is normal. Here’s how to manage it better

by Dr Xand van Tulleken

Summer’s over, the holidays feel like a distant memory and suddenly the world is back at full speed.

And that back-to-it energy can leave many of us feeling stretched thin.

Stress, in small doses, can help us stay sharp but left unchecked, it can chip away at our health, mood and relationships.

Cortisol, often labelled as the stress hormone has become a bit of a wellness buzzword but it’s worth remembering that it isn’t the enemy – it’s what helps us wake up, stay alert, and handle challenges.

The trick is keeping it in balance, not eliminating it.

Here are five simple, science-backed ways to manage stress and get back in control.

1. Stop stressing about it

Ironically, worrying about the effects of stress can make it worse.

The more we talk about how much harm stress does, we start to think ‘agh now I’m stressed and I know it’s doing me lots of harm’, so try not to worry about how you’re feeling.

Stress is a normal part of life and is unavoidable especially during major challenges like grief, caring for loved ones, looking after young children or navigating job uncertainties.

Instead of panicking about being stressed, accept that it happens and remind yourself it won’t last forever.

2. Move your body

The best way to physically manage stress is to exercise.

Exercise does the same thing to your body as stress does – it raises your heart rate, puts your blood pressure up, makes you breather faster and releases adrenaline and cortisol.

By exercising, your body is learning to manage the cortisol spikes and handle those surges so you’re better equipped to manage life’s bigger stresses.

If you’re getting stressed thinking about what exercise you’re going to do or what gym to join, remember that any form of exercise is great.

It doesn’t have to be anything too time consuming or high pressured – a simple walk, jog or any activity you enjoy will do the trick.

3. Prioritise sleep

Try and get into bed earlier and wake up at roughly the same time in the morning so your body gets into a routine.

If you find yourself tossing and turning at night and not being able to fall asleep, don’t worry.

Your body can function on less sleep occasionally and over time your natural rhythms will recalibrate.

4. Focus on yourself

Managing stress isn’t just about avoiding the negatives, it’s also about actively building yourself up.

Make sure you’re eating well with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole foods and good-quality proteins to fuel your body.

Try and also carve out some quality alone time where you can relax and recharge.

Mindfulness can also help – it’s not about using a meditation app or sitting in silence, it’s about being intentional in how you approach your life.

Take a few minutes to think about the day or week ahead of you, what might be challenging and how you can pace yourself.

For me, it’s about planning ahead with batch cooking as that can relieve some stress in the evening after work.

5. Talk it out

I get terribly anxious about all kinds of things and everyone worries about money, jobs and families.

Those worries can quickly spiral when kept bottled up so sharing your concerns with someone you trust lightens the load and gives perspective, even if they can’t solve the problem for you.

Sometimes just saying it out loud makes the problem feel more manageable

Reclaim Your Calm: Practical Ways to Manage Daily Stress Without Burning Out

by Harper Drewett

Photo via Pexels

Stress is sneaky. It shows up as tight shoulders during a meeting, racing thoughts before bed, or the inexplicable need to check your email again. Most people aren’t short on advice — they’re short on capacity. When your nervous system’s already stretched thin, “just take a break” can feel like a taunt, not a solution. The real trick isn’t in knowing stress is bad — it’s learning how to work with it instead of against it. That starts with naming what’s draining you, then layering in small, strategic counter-moves. Below are seven grounded ways to interrupt your stress spiral — even if you feel like you’ve tried it all before.

Understand stress from the inside out

Sometimes the most empowering thing you can do is learn how your brain works. You don’t need to be a therapist to study psychology — and understanding the architecture of thought, emotion, and behavior gives you language for what you’re experiencing. An online psychology degree program can be an accessible way to study the science behind stress, emotional regulation, and mental resilience — and may even help you guide others through their own struggles.

Move, even a little

You don’t need a gym membership or a 5 a.m. wake-up call to reset your body. Your nervous system responds to any physical movement — especially if it’s unpredictable. Shrug your shoulders, swing your arms, walk around the room during a phone call. When you incorporate short movement breaks daily, you’re not trying to “get fit” — you’re creating micro-shocks that nudge your system out of freeze mode. It’s biology, not ambition. Bonus: these bursts often clear brain fog better than caffeine.

Make friends with your breath

Most of us breathe like we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop — shallow, high, and fast. That kind of breath keeps your body in alert mode, even if the “threat” is just a meeting invite. Start small. Set a timer for two minutes and try box breathing: inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for four, pause for four. If that’s too structured, just elongate your exhale. Simple shifts like these mimic the parasympathetic state.

Try mindfulness, but skip the mysticism

Forget the incense. Mindfulness isn’t about enlightenment — it’s about noticing what’s happening before it hijacks you. The next time stress spikes, stop and silently name five things you can see. Or three things you hear. Whether you’re anchoring through sound, touch, or calming visuals, these simple mindfulness techniques for stress don’t require belief — just willingness. These tricks ground your attention in the body and pull your brain out of abstract loops.

Triage your to-do list with zero guilt

You’re not failing because you can’t finish everything. You’re failing because your system is trying to prioritize everything at once. The fix isn’t more discipline — it’s less decision fatigue. Grab a sticky note and draw a quick Eisenhower Matrix: urgent vs. important. What gets done today? What gets dumped or deferred? Using an Eisenhower Matrix time prioritization tool helps you reclaim control without pretending you’re superhuman.

Journal like no one’s grading it

You don’t need a gratitude log. You need a pressure valve. Open a blank page and write without stopping for five minutes — even if it’s messy or repetitive. The goal is not insight — it’s release. When your brain’s spinning, writing helps you push it out of your head and into a container. Done right, expressive writing breaks cycling thoughts and clears enough room for rest or redirection.
Stress isn’t a personal failing — it’s your system trying to keep you safe in a world that never stops asking. But safety isn’t always about retreating. Sometimes it’s about choosing which levers to pull: a breath, a walk, a boundary, a moment of learning. You don’t need to “master” all these strategies — you just need to start with one. Let it be small, imperfect, and right-now real. And let that be enough to turn stress from an enemy into a signal.

Unlock the secrets to a stress-free life with expert insights and practical tips at Live Free From Stress, your ultimate guide to achieving balance and fulfillment every day!

Sleep, Stress and the Brain: Why Quality Rest Matters

By Patrick Holford

What does any animal, perhaps your dog, do after exercising or going for a walk?

Sleep.

Sleep is how the brain recovers. There is now overwhelming evidence that sleep is a ‘brain essential’ and just like Goldilocks, it seems we need just the right amount. Getting too much, or too little, increases our risk for cognitive decline.

The optimal amount of sleep for brain health appears to be a total of seven hours. This does not necessarily need to be in one uninterrupted stretch – a study found that napping after physical activity can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment.

However, those consistently getting less than seven hours of sleep may be doubling their risk of age-related cognitive decline. A UK study of Whitehall civil servants, which began in the 1980s, found that persistent short sleep at ages 50, 60, and 70 was associated with a 30% increased risk of dementia. Sleep loss does not just increase long-term dementia risk – it also reduces empathy, increases negative emotions, and impairs next-day functioning.

Why Sleep Is Essential to Brain Health?

Think of sleep as the brain’s housekeeper. During sleep, circulation of blood and cerebrospinal fluid improves, helping to clear out waste products from brain metabolism. These include harmful oxidants and amyloid protein, the latter linked to Alzheimer’s and brain inflammation – which can begin accumulating after just one night of poor sleep.

One key agent in this nightly brain cleanse is melatonin. As night falls, our brains convert serotonin into melatonin, primarily in the pineal gland – referred to by Descartes as the seat of the soul, and known in yoga as the ‘third eye’ chakra.

Sensitive to light via receptors behind the eyes, the pineal gland is the only endocrine organ in direct contact with the external world. Darkness triggers melatonin production, while exposure to light – including screen use before bed – suppresses it.


Melatonin helps keep us in sync with the circadian cycle. Some frequent flyers even use melatonin supplements to overcome jet lag and adjust their sleep rhythms more easily.

More than just a sleep aid, melatonin acts as a powerful antioxidant – disarming damaging oxidants, restoring mitochondrial energy production, and acting as an anti-inflammatory. It has been used to support recovery in cancer, COVID-19, and cardiovascular conditions. Reduced brain melatonin levels and circadian disruption are also observed in individuals with cognitive decline.

Why Dreaming Matters?

Sleep isn’t just for rest – it’s a deeply active process. About 30 minutes after falling asleep, we enter deep sleep, marked by slower breathing, a reduced heart rate, and lower blood pressure. This phase restores and repairs bodily tissues. About 90 minutes in, we shift into REM (rapid eye movement) sleep – where most dreaming occurs.

REM sleep is critical for brain health. Each night, we cycle between deep, light, and REM sleep three to five times, with REM ideally making up about 25% of total sleep.

REM and deep sleep phases also see increased production of growth hormone, which supports tissue repair. Meanwhile, melatonin helps clear metabolic waste. However, under stress, cortisol levels rise and suppress REM sleep and growth hormone production, reducing the brain’s ability to recover. Sleep-deprived individuals tend to experience more REM when they finally do sleep, suggesting REM plays a key role in emotional processing.

One theory suggests that dreams help us metabolise suppressed emotions – fear, anger, sadness – stored during our busy days. If you have a vivid, emotional dream, it may be worth tracing it back to unresolved feelings from the previous day.

How Chronic Stress Disrupts Sleep and Brain Function?

Chronic or intense stress – such as bereavement, illness, or financial strain – has been shown to increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia (10). However, good sleep can help process a stressful day.

The perception of control matters, too. Studies show that high job demands combined with low control are strongly linked to an increased risk of depression and cognitive impairment. Examples might include caregiving for a loved one with dementia while navigating health services, or working in a high-stress job without the resources to make meaningful changes.

Your Brain on Cortisol: The Hippocampus Feedback Loop

Two hormones mediate stress: adrenaline (short-acting) and cortisol (longer-acting). Adrenaline prepares you to act quickly – it’s the fight-or-flight hormone. Cortisol helps regulate energy and alertness throughout the day.

In the morning, cortisol naturally rises to get us going. It should fall in the evening to support sleep. But chronic stress disrupts this rhythm. If cortisol stays high at night, sleep is disturbed. If it’s too low in the morning, you may feel foggy and reach for caffeine.

Excess cortisol impairs memory, slows thinking, lowers social functioning, and raises the risk of dementia. What’s happening in the brain is that cortisol overstimulates the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory and emotional regulation. With prolonged stress, this feedback loop fails – the hippocampus shrinks, and cortisol levels remain elevated, accelerating brain ageing.

Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Harm: Sugar and Alcohol as Stress Crutches

Oscar Ichazo described how we reach for compensations under stress. Unfortunately, many – like alcohol and sugar – backfire.

Alcohol temporarily boosts GABA, calming the nervous system and reducing adrenaline. But the effect is short-lived. Drinking too much reduces GABA receptor sensitivity the next day, leaving us more anxious. In the long term, alcohol is neurotoxic and increases dementia risk. It also disrupts sleep architecture, impairing the brain’s ability to repair itself.

Sugar triggers dopamine and activates the brain’s reward circuits, making us crave more. It also spikes the adrenal system, amplifying stress and cortisol levels. Fats and proteins do not have this effect – this is unique to sugar.

So, when we use sugar or alcohol to manage stress, we often wake up feeling more anxious and foggy. This leads us to reach for caffeine and more sugar, which spikes cortisol again, leaving us even more depleted by evening – creating a cycle of stress, poor sleep, and accelerated brain ageing.

Simple Ways to Break the Cycle

The good news? You can reverse this pattern. Start here:

  • Prioritise seven hours of quality sleep each night.
  • Identify and reduce common stress triggers.
  • Be mindful of alcohol and sugar intake.
  • Find positive outlets: yoga, walking, journaling, a good book

Bending Without Breaking: Practical Ways to Navigate Anxiety and Build Inner Strength

Image: Freepik

You already know the feeling. Your chest tightens. Thoughts blur. The world starts spinning just a little too fast. Whether anxiety has been a long-time companion or an unwelcome surprise, the reality is the same: it’s exhausting. But here’s what most people don’t talk about — anxiety isn’t something you “fix” like a leaky faucet. It’s something you learn to carry differently. And resilience? It’s not a buzzword. It’s a quiet strength you build, brick by brick, in ordinary moments. If you’re looking for real, sustainable ways to manage anxiety while also becoming emotionally sturdier, you’re in the right place.

Get Curious, Not Critical

When anxiety shows up, your instinct might be to push it away or scold yourself for “freaking out.” But judgment fuels the fire. Instead, try asking questions: What triggered this feeling? Where do I feel it in my body? Is there a story I’m telling myself that may not be fully true? Shifting from shame to curiosity makes a surprising difference. You’re not just observing your anxiety — you’re learning how it works, which gives you a lot more say in how you deal with it next time.

Build Your Inner Toolbox

You don’t need a whole new personality to handle anxiety — you need a better set of tools. That could be breathing techniques that actually work for your nervous system, or a walk around the block when your brain gets noisy. The key is to experiment. Try journaling without trying to write something poetic. Try stretching without turning it into a full workout. The point isn’t perfection. It’s practice. Over time, your toolbox becomes something you can reach for instead of feeling trapped in the spiral.

Empower Yourself Through Online Learning

When anxiety stems from uncertainty about your career path, taking action through education can offer a clear sense of direction and control. Choosing to enroll in an online degree program allows you to invest in your future while building confidence through tangible progress. For example, if you dream of a tech career, by working toward an online computer science degree, you can build your skills in AI along with IT, programming, and computer science theory. Online degree programs make it easy to manage working while going to school at the same time, so you don’t have to put your life on hold.

Don’t Discount the Boring Stuff

Sleep. Water. Nutrition. Movement. You’ve heard it all before, right? That’s because it works. It’s not flashy, but the basics matter more than you realize. Your brain needs fuel and your body needs rhythm. If you’re running on fumes, even small stressors feel like chaos. It’s not about becoming a monk or a wellness guru — it’s about making small, consistent choices that stabilize your baseline so anxiety doesn’t have as much room to take over.

Name It So You Can Tame It

Anxiety loves ambiguity. It thrives in silence and vagueness. One simple and weirdly powerful trick? Naming what you’re feeling — out loud, if possible. “I’m anxious because I don’t know what’s going to happen at work tomorrow.” Just that. No need to solve it yet. Once you name it, you shift the power dynamic. You remind yourself: this is a feeling, not a fact. And that makes it easier to stay grounded.

Set Boundaries Like You Mean It

Anxiety doesn’t live in a vacuum — it often flares when your needs get ignored, especially in relationships or work. One underrated source of anxiety is the quiet resentment that builds when you keep saying “yes” while screaming “no” inside. Boundaries aren’t about being harsh. They’re about protecting your peace. That means saying “no” without explaining yourself to death. It means limiting how often you scroll through things that trigger you. Resilience grows every time you make a decision that honors your limits.

Tap Into Connection, Not Comparison

It’s tempting to isolate yourself when you’re anxious. Sometimes it even feels safer. But humans are wired for connection, not comparison. Scrolling through curated lives on social media isn’t connection — it’s a trap. Instead, try reaching out to someone who knows you, someone you don’t have to impress. Send the “Hey, I’ve been in a weird headspace lately” text. You’d be surprised how many people are feeling the same way but waiting for someone else to break the silence.

Stop Chasing Calm — Learn to Ride the Waves

The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety forever. That’s a losing game. The real win is knowing how to stay steady when it rolls in. Think of anxiety like a wave: it builds, crests, and eventually rolls out. The more you learn to ride it — with breath, awareness, and patience — the less afraid you become of the feeling itself. Resilience means trusting yourself to survive the surge. You’re not broken. You’re just in the water, learning how to swim better.

Managing anxiety and building resilience isn’t a straight line. Some days you’ll feel like you’ve got it handled. Other days, not so much. That’s okay. You’re not aiming to be unshakable. You’re aiming to be someone who bends without breaking — someone who can feel deeply and still keep going. That’s real strength. And it’s already in you, whether you see it yet or not.

Unlock the secrets to a stress-free life with expert insights and practical tips at Live Free From Stress, your ultimate guide to achieving balance and fulfillment every day!

Four Quick Wins to Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer’s

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What can you do, practically and quickly, to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s?

The International Alzheimer’s Prevention Expert Group, including founder Patrick Holford, has identified four key areas that could cut your future risk by over 80% – down to less than a quarter – if addressed early.

The four “quick wins”? Increase your vitamin D, omega-3, and B vitamins, and reduce your intake of sugar and refined carbs.

1. Vitamin D: The Sunshine Factor

Vitamin D is primarily made in your skin through sun exposure, particularly at midday in the summer. However, in the winter – especially in the UK and other northern countries – you cannot make enough, so supplementation is essential. A Dutch study found that people with low levels of vitamin D, omega-3s, and B vitamins were over four times more likely to develop dementia. Those who supplement with vitamin D have around a third less risk.A French study found that low vitamin D levels tripled Alzheimer’s risk. The darker your skin, the more sun exposure you need – which makes supplementation all the more vital for many.

2. Omega-3: Feed Your Brain with Fish

Fish is a true brain food – rich in omega-3s, vitamin D, and B12. Eating fish at least once a week reduces Alzheimer’s risk by a third. A recent review confirmed that a daily serving cuts the risk of cognitive decline by 30%.

Omega-3 fats (especially DHA) quite literally build brain cells. The UK Biobank study of over 250,000 people found that those with higher omega-3 levels had a 20% lower risk of dementia. A US study also found that a higher omega-3 index correlated with more white matter in the brain and better cognitive function.

Professor William Harris of the Fatty Acid Research Institute calls it “a safe, simple, cheap and effective tool to forestall Alzheimer’s.”

3. B Vitamins: The Brain Fixers

B6, B12, and folate don’t just support brain function – they’re essential for fixing omega-3s into your brain’s cell membranes. Without them, homocysteine – a toxic amino acid – builds up in your blood. High levels are strongly linked to brain shrinkage and Alzheimer’s.

Half of people over 60 in the US have homocysteine levels above 11. The Dutch study found that risk rises even above 8 – a level many people exceed.

As Professor Joshua Miller from Rutgers University says, raised homocysteine is an early warning sign: “a canary in the coal mine.” The good news? It’s easily lowered with a B vitamin supplement – ideally one containing 500 mcg of B12, methylfolate, and B6.

More greens, beans, nuts, and lentils also help. A recent study showed that replacing just one serving of processed meat with nuts or beans (rich in folate) cut dementia risk by 19%.

4. Sugar and Refined Carbs: Silent Brain Saboteurs

The more sugar a person eats – including refined white carbohydrate foods such as bread, pastries, pasta, and rice – the higher their risk of both diabetes and dementia. Fizzy drinks and ultra-processed foods, sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, are particularly bad for the brain.
“The brain needs the most energy of any organ, so it has the most mitochondria to make it. Sugar damages mitochondria,” says Dr Robert Lustig from the University of California, San Francisco.

A study just published this month in Neurology involving 2 million people shows that those with sugar problems (metabolic syndrome) are 24% more likely to develop dementia early.

The best and worst foods for sleep

Struggling to switch off at the end of the day? If you have tried every sleep remedy under the sun and still can’t seem to doze off, it may be because you’re eating the wrong foods before bed.

By making a simple switch to certain food and drinks, you can enjoy quality sleep without any fuss.

Top tips we recommend for eating before bed include: 

  • Avoid eating late at night, as your body will be converting food into energy.
  • Pay attention to portion control, as large portions can disrupt digestion.
  • Avoid stimulants, such as sugars or caffeine, as they will keep you up at night.
  • Eat something before your body starts to wind down. Going to bed on an empty stomach drops blood sugar levels and interferes with the body’s ability to sleep well.

Take a look at how you can improve your circadian rhythm with the best and worst foods for sleep.

Five worst foods for sleep

The old adage “you are what you eat” is a familiar one, but did you know that what you eat can also impact your quality of sleep?

To make sure you are eating the right things before bed, try to keep the following foods at bay.

1. Chocolate

High levels of caffeine in chocolate make it a poor choice for late-night snacking. During the latter stages of sleep, caffeine consumption can cause rapid eye movement (REM) to occur more frequently, which is why you’re more likely to feel groggy the morning after the night before.

Other foods and drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and energy drinks should also be avoided four to six hours before sleep.

2. Cheese

While cheese is generally considered a comfort food, it is actually one of the worst foods to eat before bed.

Strong or aged cheese, as well as preserved meats such as bacon, ham and pepperoni, contains naturally high levels of the amino acid, tyramine, which make us feel alert. Tyramine causes the adrenal gland to release the ‘fight or flight’ hormone, which increases alertness for a number of hours.

3. Curry

Spicy food, such as curries, hot sauce and mustard, contain high levels of capsaicin. This chemical elevates body temperature by interfering with the body’s thermoregulation process, which, in turn, disrupts sleep. Add this to the high levels of energy required to digest the spices, and you can kiss goodbye to a deep sleep.

Spicy foods are just one of a number of foods which are known for having a negative effect on sleep. Other foods, especially those which are high in fat and carbohydrates, should be.

4. Ice cream

We all know that consuming too much sugar can have a negative impact on our health, but did you know it can also affect our sleep?

Sugary foods, such as ice-cream and sweets, send blood sugar levels spiking at first, which then crash whilst you are asleep. A crash in blood sugar alerts the adrenals that there is an emergency, which, in turn, increases cortisol levels, and wakes the body from slumber.

5. Crisps

Too much salt dehydrates the body and increases water retention, causing tiredness and fatigue.

A study at the European Society of Endocrinology found that salty foods, such as crisps and salted nuts, were some of the worst foods to eat before bed as they contributed to disrupted – or “superficial” – sleep.  Experts recommend staying away from salty foods at least two to three hours before bed if you need a good sleep.

Five best foods for sleep

While there are plenty of foods you should avoid before bed, there are many which can actually help you sleep.

Try these melatonin-promoting foods if you are in need of a good night’s sleep.

1. Cherries

Cherries are known for being one of the best foods for sleep as they naturally contain melatonin. Snacking on cherries or drinking cherry juice can help promote longer, deeper sleep.

2. Raw honey

 Honey stimulates melatonin and shuts off orexin in the body: the neuropeptide that makes us feel sharp and alert. A mug of hot water, lemon and honey is a great evening drink for soothing the body and inducing sleep.

3. Bananas

Bananas are a great food all-round, but if you usually eat a banana for breakfast, you might want to think about enjoying this exotic fruit before bed instead.

They are one of the best foods for sleep, due to their high levels of magnesium which relax the muscles and calm the body. Try sliced banana with a tablespoon of natural nut butter before bed if you seek a good night’s sleep.

4. Turkey

Not only is turkey is an excellent source of protein, it’s also great at encouraging sleepiness. This is because turkey is high in tryptophan: an essential amino acid that acts as a natural mood regulator.

Tryptophan also calms the body, balances hormones and fights anxiety, which all help with inducing sleep. Brown rice, fish and yoghurt also contain high levels of this calming amino acid, making these some of the best foods for sleep.

5. Almonds

Just like bananas, almonds are a food you need to eat for good sleep as they contain high amounts of muscle-relaxing magnesium.

Magnesium is great for regulating our blood sugar as we sleep, which means the body naturally switches from its adrenaline cycle to what is known as the “rest and digest” cycle.

Beyond the Bubble Bath

Seven Uncommon Paths to a Calmer Mind

You already know the basics—drink water, get sleep, talk to someone. But what about the practices that don’t make it to the front of mental health pamphlets? The weird, the offbeat, the delightfully human quirks that don’t cost much but seem to nudge the soul back into place? Everyone’s mind is a strange and private room, and sometimes it takes an unexpected key to unlock peace inside it. If you’re game for something a little different, here are seven unique (and oddly effective) ways to show your mind a little mercy.

Cook a Meal With No Recipe, No Pressure, No Plan

There’s something quietly revolutionary about stepping into the kitchen without a script. You’re not chasing perfection here—you’re just moving, touching, tasting, adjusting. Let your hands make decisions your brain can’t. When your head’s full of noise, improvising a simple meal—maybe with just whatever’s left in the fridge—can get you out of your head and into something tactile, something forgiving, something real.

Try Calmer Routes Before the Crash

Stress doesn’t always show up loud—it creeps in, builds up, and quietly drains you. Before it hits a wall, there are gentler, less conventional paths you can explore to give your system a break.

  • Breathwork in Short Bursts: You don’t need to sit cross-legged for an hour. Just try two minutes of box breathing (in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold again) when the pressure spikes.

  • Cold Water Face Dunks: It’s not just a TikTok trend—splashing your face with cold water or holding it in a bowl of ice water can engage your vagus nerve and reset your nervous system in real time.

  • Ashwagandha as a Daily Ally: This ancient herb isn’t hype—it’s been shown to help lower cortisol levels and improve the body’s resilience to stress over time.

  • Microdoses of Diamonds of THCa: For those in legal states looking for something beyond CBD, small, intentional amounts of diamonds of THCa may offer a subtle, grounded calm without the psychoactive edge of THC itself.

Write a Letter You’ll Never Send

Grab a pen and go analog. Write to someone who hurt you. Or someone you miss. Or maybe write to yourself ten years ago or ten years ahead. The point isn’t postage—it’s permission. Let yourself say everything you’ve edited out of texts or swallowed during conversations. When you give those unsaid words somewhere to go, they stop taking up so much space inside you.

Rearrange a Small Corner of Your Home

You don’t need to Marie Kondo your whole life. Start with one shelf, one drawer, one neglected windowsill. Move things around. Dust what you usually overlook. Choose one object to leave out just because it makes you smile, not because it matches anything. Changing your space even slightly can subtly remind you that you’re in charge of your environment—and that you can shift the atmosphere, even when your mood feels stuck.

Talk to a Tree (or Something Else Alive and Silent)

Yes, really. Find a tree, a houseplant, a cat, or even your sourdough starter. Say some thoughts out loud—doesn’t have to be deep or polished. Maybe it’s what you’re afraid of, what you’re tired of, or what you’re hoping for next. There’s something profoundly healing about speaking into something that doesn’t talk back, doesn’t judge, and still just stands there, holding space with you. Sometimes that kind of presence is enough.

Invent a Daily Micro-Ritual That’s Yours Alone

We crave structure more than we admit, especially the kind we create ourselves. Your ritual can be anything—burning a stick of incense at 4:00, walking your block in reverse order, drinking your morning coffee out of the same chipped mug. Keep it short, keep it sacred. The point is that it’s yours, not inherited or prescribed. Ritual, even in tiny forms, gives rhythm to chaos and tells your mind: there’s still something to count on.

Spend Time With Something Totally Useless

This one’s harder than it sounds. Choose something with no productivity, no monetization, no end goal. Fly a kite, make up a language, rearrange your books by the color of their covers. Doing something “useless” rewires the modern brain—trained for output and efficiency—and gives it space to remember it was built for wonder, too. When you reintroduce play without purpose, your mind tends to relax into something quieter and more alive.

You’re not a machine that needs constant optimization. You’re a person—with weird, contradictory needs and moods and rhythms. Sometimes the best thing for your mental health isn’t more discipline or better habits—it’s more softness, more oddity, more humanity. Try one of these offbeat paths, and maybe you’ll find that what really helps isn’t what’s loud or trending, but what simply makes you feel like yourself again. The real you—the slightly chaotic, deeply curious, imperfectly thriving version—is worth listening to.

Discover a wealth of strategies for a stress-free life at Live Free From Stress, where expert insights and practical tips guide you towards a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

5-step stress-releasing sleeping routine

Stress is pretty much a part of all our lives! Much as we wish it were otherwise, our responsibilities at home and at work can place a load of stress on our shoulders that just gets heavier with every passing day.

Worse, that stress can start to affect the rest of our lives. Stress suppresses our immune systems and makes us more vulnerable to disease. Stress impairs our mood and makes us more prone to anxiety and depression. Stress can even affect our sleep quality, making it harder to not only fall asleep at night, but also get a proper night of rest. That’s when things really start to go wrong, because your body will begin to shut down without enough sleep!

But did you know that a relaxing bedtime routine can help to remove stress from your night? Try this simple five-step sleeping routine to relax, wash away the stress, and get ready for a good night of rest.

 Step 1: Start at the Same Time Every Night

Following a sleep schedule is vital to train your body (and mind) to shut down every night.

Our bodies follow a sleep-wake cycle, and you can actually train yourself to get sleepy at the same time every day. However, that requires consistency, which means going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time for weeks at a time. It usually takes 12 to 16 weeks to form a proper sleep habit.

It’s vital that you follow a sleep routine. That means every night, at the same time, stop what you’re doing and start getting ready for bed. No matter how much fun you’re having or how interesting that book or TV show is, it’s time to get to sleep, which means starting your bedtime routine.

Step 2: Enjoy Relaxing Scents

Every good bedtime routine starts with a little something beautiful smelling.

Have a soothing mug of chamomile, lavender, peppermint, or “Sleepy Time” tea. The hot beverage will soothe you, hydrate you, and get you in a sleepy mood. The scents are also known to relax you and reduce stress and anxiety.

Take it a step farther with some essential oils. Dab a few drops of lavender essential oils on your neck and behind your ears, and take ten long, deep breaths through your nose. The fragrance is known to promote wellness and calm your mind, helping to wash away the worries about your busy day.

 Step 3: Get Clean

Now it’s time to wash away all the dirt, sweat, and grime of the day—and, hopefully, wash away the stress with it.

You can take a long, relaxing bath if you want, or just settle for a warm shower. You don’t want it to be too hot, as that will wake you up more. Make sure the water is pleasantly warm, as that will help your body to relax and lowers your internal body temperature, making it easier for you to fall asleep.

Try flossing, brushing your teeth, and doing all of your other pre-bedtime hygiene before getting into the shower. You want to go straight from the shower to your bed to relax and get into the mood for sleep.

Step 4: Set the Mood

Now’s the time to turn the light down low, to shut off all electronic devices and anything that generates noise. Light, noise, and external stimuli will interfere with your relaxation and wake you up, making it harder for you to fall asleep. Shut them off, close your door, and make sure the lighting and music in your room is relaxing and calming.

If you want, try keeping a journal that you write in every night. Or, try reading something short and relaxing, such as a book of motivational quotes or thoughts. You want to keep your mind and body in that relaxed, calm state that will help you to slip into sleep.

Step 5: Meditate and Breathe

The last thing you do before shutting off the lights is meditate.

Sit or lie in a comfortable position on your bed (or in a comfy chair), close your eyes, and practice meditation or mindfulness techniques. Deep breathing will help you to remain focused on your meditation, but it will also relax your body and help you get sleepy. Do it for as long or as short as you want—anywhere from 5 to 35 minutes—or until you start feeling tired.

If you’re already lying down, simply turn off the lights and let yourself drift off. If you’re sitting up, lie down and continue meditating and relaxing your mind until everything fades around you and you slide into sleep.

How to Beat the Sunday Scaries and Start Your Week with Confidence

Image via Pexels

The “Sunday Scaries” describe the uneasy feeling that sets in as the weekend winds down and the upcoming workweek approaches. This sense of stress and anxiety can disrupt relaxation, making it difficult to fully enjoy time off. While common, these feelings can take a toll on overall well-being and affect the way the week begins. Understanding how to manage this transition can help create a more positive and balanced start to the week.

Establishing a Calming Sunday Routine

A structured and relaxing Sunday routine can make the transition into Monday smoother. By setting aside time for self-care and preparation, stress levels can be significantly reduced.

  • Limit Work-Related Tasks – Avoid checking emails or thinking about work until absolutely necessary.
  • Incorporate Relaxing Activities – Engage in activities such as reading, meditation, or gentle exercise to create a calming atmosphere.
  • Prepare for the Week Ahead – Laying out clothes, meal prepping, or writing a to-do list for Monday can create a sense of control and ease anxieties.
  • Get to Bed Early – A consistent sleep schedule ensures you wake up feeling refreshed and less overwhelmed.

Shifting Mindset with Positive Associations

Reframing how Sunday evenings are perceived can help replace stress with motivation and positivity.

Creating Work-Life Balance Throughout the Week

A stressful workweek often amplifies the Sunday Scaries. Establishing a better work-life balance can help prevent anxiety from building up by the weekend.

Considering a New Career Path

If the Sunday Scaries stem from dissatisfaction with a job, it may be time to explore a new career path that brings more fulfillment and stability.

  • Assess Career Interests – Identify fulfilling roles based on strengths.
  • Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile – Keeping professional materials up to date makes it easier to explore opportunities when the time is right.
  • Network with Industry Professionals – Engaging with professionals in desired fields can open doors to new job prospects.
  • Consider Further Education – Earning a nursing master’s degree or another advanced degree can lead to new opportunities.

Making Sundays a Time for Personal Fulfillment

Instead of viewing Sundays as the end of the weekend, they can become an opportunity for personal enrichment and meaningful activities.

 

Reducing the stress and anxiety linked to the Sunday Scaries can lead to a greater sense of control and well-being. Small adjustments in mindset, routine, and planning can help ease the transition into a new week, making Sundays feel less overwhelming. By implementing strategies that promote relaxation and preparedness, it becomes easier to approach Mondays with confidence and clarity.

Want to live to 100?

Take some lessons from the world’s ‘blue zones’, where people live long and healthy lives

By Caroline Roberts

You may have heard of the term ‘blue zones’. These are places around the world associated with the longevity of the people that live there – with a large number reaching their 100th birthday.

American writer and explorer Dan Buettner came up with the term 20 years ago after his team of researchers and scientists identified five longevity hotspots and marked them on the map in blue pen.

Blue zones hit the headlines again last year when a Netflix series documented the healthy lifestyle choices of people living there. Scientists estimate that genes are only responsible for around 25% of the variation in human lifespans.

So, what are the secrets of blue zones and what can we learn from them to help stay healthier into our later years?

Sticking to a traditional Japanese diet could be the secret to the long lives enjoyed by those who live on the country’s southern tip. Their diet is largely plant-based and rich in soya bean products such as tofu, along with fermented foods. Soy is a source of high-quality protein, fibre and omega-3 fatty acids, while fermented foods, such as miso, help boost friendly gut bacteria. Many Okinawans follow the ‘hara hachi bu’ tradition, which translates as ‘eat until you’re 80% full’. This encourages them to eat slowly and mindfully and keeps calorie intake under control.

Okinawa, Japan

Top tip: Try to eat more plant-based and fermented foods and watch your calorie intake

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A cluster of villages in the rugged, mountainous interior of Sardinia is home to a higher-than-average number of centenarians. Along with a healthy Mediterranean diet and a close-knit community, landscape seems to play a part. Researchers found a close connection between the steepness of a village and the lifespan of its inhabitants. Unlike in most parts of the world, men in Sardinia live as long as women, possibly because of the time spent climbing up the steep slopes in their traditional occupation of shepherding.

Sardinia, Italy

Top tip: Few of us are lucky enough to live in the mountains, but taking the stairs rather than the lift and walking up a hill rather than driving or taking the bus is a step in the right direction.

The Mediterranean diet of the inhabitants of the Greek island of Ikaria in the Aegean Sea likely contributes to their long lives. It’s a diet rich in olive oil, pulses, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and dairy produce made from goat’s milk, with meat only eaten on special occasions. But what sets Ikaria apart is its tradition of self-sufficiency. With no natural ports, islanders were forced to produce or forage for their own food for centuries. Everything from honey and wine to goat’s cheese is produced locally with minimal processing. This means their food retains more of its health-giving properties, such as antioxidants and gut-friendly bacteria.

Ikaria, Greece

Top tip: Try to cut back on ultra-processed products and eat more organic and whole food.

A long life and prosperity are often closely linked. However, Nicoya on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast goes against the trend as it is one of the poorest parts of the country. Without many of the labour-saving devices we take for granted, residents do everyday chores such as chopping logs and grinding corn by hand, helping them stay fit and active. Food is grown locally, and the staple diet of black beans, squash and maize provides all nine vital amino acids, plus lots of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. Many Nicoyans say another key part of their longevity is their ‘plan de vida’, or life plan. They have a clear sense of purpose in old age, continuing to work, taking care of younger family members and passing on their wisdom.

Nicoya, Costa Rica

Top tip: Keep active and structure your time with hobbies and volunteering to maintain a sense of purpose.