6 stress-reducing self-care tips you may not know

The past year has been challenging for us all - from worrying about our health and cost of living, no one has escaped unscathed. It definitely feels like time to scale up our self-care game.

As a registered psychotherapist, I’ve seen first-hand the effect that anxiety and uncertainty has played on our wellbeing, and I’ve been affected by it, too.

Self-care can be defined as any activity or practice that supports your mental, emotional and physical health – and sometimes the smallest actions can make the biggest difference.

A half-hour walk around the park or a chat with a friend may not feel like the most scientific approach to self-care, but there’s strong research that shows both will help us feel better. Let’s take this as a reminder to care for ourselves a little more.

Need a gentle nudge? Take a look at these six ideas.

Time is precious, use it effectively

We all have a finite amount of energy and time. I think of these as my personal resource units.

Each day, we choose to spend these in a particular way: maybe eight hours on work, three with Netflix, two on our phones and one on exercise.

For some of us, this might be quite a ‘normal’ day – but it also means a potential 13 hours spent in the company of screens, which may leave us unable to switch off at night.

Thinking consciously in advance about our time and energy might lead us to spend our resources in very different ways.

For example, if tomorrow is a busy workday, I may well choose to go screen-free tonight, listening to podcasts or meditate instead to increase my chance of a good sleep and waking up refreshed.

Perfect ways to ensure a little self-care.

Stand in your truth

Standing in your truth means owning what feels right for you, speaking up for yourself, and saying no to things that your body, mind and soul don’t react positively to.

Another way to describe it could be ‘honouring your boundaries’ – giving your resources only to things worthy of them.

In short, we have to be aware of the little voice that urges: “This – do more of this!” when you’re lifting weights at the gym, blissing out in the bath or lovingly cooking a new recipe.

You also need to hear that small voice that whispers:“No, this isn’t for me” when you’re about to reluctantly agree to catch up with a mate when really, you’d rather just unwind for the evening.

To help with this, try journaling for just five minutes each day – write a simple question to yourself such as “What do I love?”, and compose your own response.

Or, make a promise to yourself and keep it, such as “I will have three drinks and no more”.

Take care of your emotional health

Human beings are hard-wired for connection – we need closeness to others to feel safe and protected.

This is especially important when we're at higher risk of experiencing stress with the current economic climate of the UK, as well as running up to the winter months where we may more stuck inside and less likely to meet up with friends due to the winter months.

It can take courage to admit we feel vulnerable and that we need people, but it’s also a sure-fire way to help grow and strengthen connections.

We all like to know we’re needed.

If you recognise that you could use some extra support, share the load with a wise friend, a good listener in your family or reach out to a professional.

Talking Therapies is available for Vitality Health members that are going through a rough time, or simply want to talk to someone about their mental wellbeing.

As a Vitality member you can get access to eight online of in-person session per plan year, which varies from counselling to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Get the creative juices flowing, try something new

In a general sense, this is about being playful, fighting stagnation and allowing the fresh and the new into your life.

Research shows being creatively engaged — in that lovely state of ‘flow’ — can reduce anxiety and stress and help lift your mood. Being creative can simply mean mixing things up in a new way.

It needn’t mean getting the watercolours out if that’s not your thing: a simple stroll round a new neighbourhood can awaken something in your brain.

Exposing yourself to new experiences keeps things fresh and, while we can’t enjoy a trip to the theatre right now, there are things we can do to mix up the routine.

For example, plan to go for a long walk somewhere nearby you’ve never explored before this weekend or try out a new class online – from Argentine tango to Kundalini yoga, a world of newness awaits.

If you’d like to try your hand at something new, look no further than Vitality’s partners. From PureGym to Virgin Active, Peloton to Fiit, you’re guaranteed to find something that suits you and your timetable. You may even start to love it, too.

Get out into green or blue space

We’ve all experienced the wonderful sense of wellbeing that spending time in nature can bring.

A strong body of research backs it up, too; a 2018 study showed that being outdoors, seeing trees and hearing birdsong were associated with higher levels of mental wellbeing, and this affect lasted, too.

Additional studies also prove what we’ve innately known for years – the soothing effect of being near water. Proximity to ‘blue space’ (lakes, rivers and seas) has been shown to be helpful in reducing stress and increasing feelings of wellbeing.

Coastal areas are thought to score most highly, thanks to the tidal effect of lapping water calming our brains.

However, any water will do; the study suggests even a fountain will have a positive effect. There’s probably an area of scenic water near you – can you get out, explore and practice self-care this weekend to see if it boosts your mood?

If not, Vitality partner parkrun is a great way to try out running and spending time outside; it’s free and there are hundreds of locations to choose from.

Add mindfulness into your routine

Mindfulness is a long-standing buzzword, but that’s because it works.

Numerous studies have shown that the practice can help reduce symptoms of psychological stress.

This needn’t involve formal sitting meditation though – what matters is doing something regularly that allows you to tap into your own inner voice. Something that allows your brain to calm, so that new thoughts and insights can bubble up.

If you are a member of Vitality with qualifying health insurance and life insurance you could get 12 months membership to Headspace on us. All you need to do is log into Member Zone for more details.

For some of my clients, what works well is cooking. For others, it’s hiking or swimming. Or it may well be that short spell of quiet, deep breathing that brings mental clarity.

I often share this short breathing space video with clients – it lasts just three minutes and can be transformative.

Whatever works for you, it’s about growing closer to your intuition and creating space in which you can know and hear yourself.

It’s a wonderful gift if you can devote half an hour a day to your favourite mindful activity.

As a Vitality member, you could get discounts on a range of fitness trackers. Available with qualifying health insurance and life insurance plans. Once you’ve chosen your device, you can link it to your Vitality account through the app and start earning active points today.

And, did you know that your phone is already tracking your steps. You’re already doing the hard work, so why not get rewarded for it.

Take 2 minutes to connect your phone today and start earning rewards. So, what are you waiting for?

Start earning your points by logging into Member Zone today. T&Csapply.