10 ways to deal with stress this summer
It’s supposed to be a chance to relax, but summer can often be a stressful time. Travel arrangements, changes to routine, family dynamics and, of course, impending exam results day all take their toll. To help you come out the other side of summer smiling, we’ve put together a list of 10 small things that might help you beat stress.
It sounds simple, but a few deep breaths are probably the easiest and quickest thing to do when stress starts to strike. Focusing on your breathing can help take your mind off what’s bothering you, and it calms your body down too. Why not try learning a few breathing techniques to help you?
Candles can have soothing smell and flickering flame, which makes them great for a relaxing evening. Orange could help reduce stress, lavender could help you relax, and vanilla could boost your mood. What’s your favourite scent?
Stress takes its toll on our bodies, and rest is vital to recharge. Give yourself permission to relax, and make sure you leave enough time for a good night’s sleep. A bedtime routine can really help, so try to stop scrolling on a screen and do something calming, such as reading or colouring.
Size doesn’t matter here – a hamster or gerbil can be just as calming as a Great Dane or a pony. If you don’t have a pet at home, you could visit a city farm or petting zoo. You could ask an animal-loving friend if you can visit, or just go on a walk around your neighbourhood in hope of encountering a furry friend.
If you’ve got a few minutes, getting outside into the fresh air can be a great stress reliever. A quick walk uses up energy, which can be great if stress makes you nervous or worried, and it can help you refocus.
Especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed, making a list of what’s going on (or what you need to do) can be a great starting point. Even just getting stuff down on paper can help clear your head. Once it’s all there, you can start planning some solutions. Often, it’s not as bad as you feared once it’s all out in the open.
Find someone you trust, and tell them how you’re feeling. It’s a bit of a cliché, but a problem shard really can be a problem halved – you’re not in it alone, and you’ve got someone else to help you get to the other side.
It doesn’t matter if you love fruit or devoted to nuts and seeds, there are plenty of foods that contain vitamins and minerals that can help relieve stress. If you’ve got time, maybe you could even head to the kitchen and mix up a smoothie or something else. Watching ingredients combine and change as they transform into a flapjack, energy bar, or soup can be really calming.
Sometimes the best way to deal with stress is to take your mind off things for a little while. You might want to chat to friends about things you’ve found funny, discover a new comedian on YouTube, watch funny videos TikTok, listen to a brilliant podcast, try some laughter yoga, or indulge in your favourite funny TV show or film.
It might not be the best tip for a heatwave, but since they’re few and far-between in the UK, a comforting hot drink is often relaxing. Give something without caffeine a go, such as camomile, hot chocolate or peppermint tea. It can be especially useful if you’re stressed before bed and need to relax before sleep.
Remember, these tips don’t fix the big stuff, but hopefully they make the moment more manageable. If you’re worried, you can always check out Childline. They’re there online and on the phone, anytime.