How to manage stress

Stress is very common and everyone feels it sometimes. It can be helpful with our motivation to get things done but when it starts to get too much it can affect mood, our body, and relationships with people. There’s things we can do to feel better though and manage stress in a healthy way.

Sleep

Keeping consistent sleep is important and how you prepare for going to bed has a huge impact on how quickly we can fall asleep.

Having a good night’s sleep lets us process the information we’ve taken in for the day and triggers changes in the brain that strengthen neural connections. Sleeping well also improves mood and reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed, helping avoid the negativity of the stress curve.

Hydration and nutrition

What we eat and drink links to our overall wellbeing.

Staying hydrated can help with:

  • Attention and memory functions
  • Improve concentration
  • Taming anxiety and restlessness
  • Symptoms of dehydration can be tiredness, headaches, dizziness, and loss of concentration

Some best foods for our brains are:

  • Whole grains
  • Protein
  • Fruit
  • Vegetables
  • Healthy fats

Top tip: Try these during exam periods where stress can be heightened

Stress reliever exercises

Who can help me?

Don’t bottle it up. Try speaking to a trusted adult such as: