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Stress Awareness Week : 4th – 8th November

Are you getting the balance right?

Finding it hard to make simple decisions or get motivated? Do you take ages to get to sleep, and/or always wake tired? Are you easily distracted or too often prone to worrying? Or maybe you find yourself unusually nervous at work or when meeting new people…

We could go on! While stress is a word, we all use all the time, the signs of it (including the aforementioned list) are easily overlooked as inevitable in the day to day. What’s worse when people do recognise they’re not managing the pressure, they often wait until things calm down to do something about stress.

Make this the month to make a move to change that. Nothing is an overnight cure, but everything on the list can help reduce the impact of stress. And that simple act of doing something about the stress – taking control – can be empowering in itself.

1. Connect with others. You don’t need to host a dinner party for this one. Suggest a cinema trip with colleagues. Join a new group for winter (a choir? book club? running club?). Or simply ask a friend if she fancies going to an exercise class with you in the countdown to Christmas.

2. Talking of which, move! Exercise doesn’t make stress disappear, but it does reduce its intensity helping you clear your thoughts and boost your mood.

3. Do something just for you. Think about when you’re most relaxed. Reading over a coffee in a cafe? Watching a movie? Visiting family or simply giving an old friend a call? Try to set aside time at least twice a week for a ‘me time’ treat.

4. Set yourself a challenge. What about a couch to 5k? Or learning a new sport? Ask one of our fitness team to help you map out some personal fitness goals….

5. Do something for others. It can lift your mood and boost your resilience. Movember is the ideal charity (see above) if you want to fundraise this month. Or simply do something small but sweet for others in your life – from flowers for a neighbour to a nice text to a friend to a phone call to an elderly relative…you choose. And remember we offer members free 7-day passes so you could ask a pal to join you at the gym this coming week. For free. For fun. And to make you both feel better.

PS
Did you know…
…Stress Awareness Week (4 – 8th November) was launched 50 years ago this year? The initiative is led by the charity The International Stress Management Association which invites organisations and employers to learn about and promote better stress management. If you’d like to find out more visit isma.org.uk

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