The first signs of stress are usually anxiety, worry, tension, and loss of focus. As stress takes its toll, we experience declined mental capabilities, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, muscle tension, insomnia, weight gain, chronic pain, and, of course, fatigue. Recognising these signs early can help us take proactive steps to manage stress and protect our overall well-being.

There are a number of ways to deal with stress and the key is to get distance from the root cause and offer your body and mind some downtime. If the stress stems from huge responsibility, break it down to small actionable steps and focus on one step at a time. It’s easy to say, just relax, when the adrenaline is speeding up, but there are strategies to kickstart the journey towards mental balance.

One of the holistic approaches to stress management is meditation. You can practise meditation from the comfort of your home or do it when you’re on a walk, riding a bus or waiting to get your nails done. How to get started? There are several techniques to discover – using mantras, guided meditation, or mindfulness practice. The key is to focus on one thing or nothing at all and let your mind shift into deep relaxation. Directing your attention to something allows the mind to stop racing, giving well deserved rest for your hard-working brain. Meditation makes you feel grounded and gives enhanced inner peace to observe situations in your life from a different perspective.

From sleepy girl mocktails to lemon balm tea and adaptogenic plants, the botanicals are here to help us tackle stress. Chamomile is one of the widespread herbs to relieve anxiety and make you ready for bed. Adaptogens as the name says are ancient plants that help to adapt the body to stress by giving us what we need the most – energy or relaxation. Powerful plant for both stamina and calm, ashwagandha can soothe the mind, boost the immune system and relieve stress. Add it to your tea or drink it by itself with hot water or (plant) milk.

Take sleep seriously as it is instrumental to every aspect of our lives, create a solid bedtime routine to snip stress at the root. Follow a daily routine of eating no later than 2 hours before bedtime, dim the lights and air the bedroom before tucking yourself in. This means no phone or computer in bed as blue right is upright disruptive. If needed, grab a light reading while sipping on an adaptogenic tea to get your brain snooze ready.

There is no one measurement for how much stress a person can tolerate. That’s why it's crucial to listen to your body and recognise when it's time to take a step back. Setting boundaries is essential in managing stress—whether it’s saying no to extra work or limiting social commitments. Nurture yourself by carving out some "me time" to prioritise wellbeing practices that help you relax and recharge, like a soothing bath, a walk in nature, or simply enjoying a quiet moment with a good book.

Managing stress effectively requires a tailored approach; it’s important to try multiple techniques to find ways that suit you the most. From setting boundaries and embracing physical activity to exploring herbal remedies and carving out "me time," these methods will help you to stress less.