Clear my head and reduce stress
There are days when your head can feel like it is full of wool and you can’t think straight. Stress can make us feel like this. We all deal with stress on a daily basis, it can be caused by anything from a tough day at work to money worries, bad news or anything else in between. Knowing how to manage and reduce this stress can have a really positive impact on how you feel and help you get more out of life.

Small changes to clear your head and reduce stress:
Move more
Almost any form of activity can be a natural stress reliever. Whenever you’re active, your body releases endorphins into your blood stream, which can ease stress and make you feel happier and more relaxed.
Being active is also a great way to take your mind off any problems you’re dealing with. Going walking or jogging are famously good ways to clear your head, or try yoga, this can really help you relax and unwind.
Whatever size, shape or age you are, there’s an activity to suit your lifestyle that can help you work off the daily stresses.
Stop smoking
Smokers often experience more stress or heightened stress due to nicotine withdrawal between cigarettes. The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal usually feel the same as other stresses, and it can be hard to tell the difference between them.
Smoking a cigarette only eases nicotine withdrawal, so although it may seem like it’s reducing stress, you’ll feel just as stressed (if not more so) next time you need a cigarette.
Removing cigarettes from your life also removes smoking-related stresses. So if you’re a smoker and you’re concerned with your stress levels, stopping smoking can be a big help.
Drink less
Some people drink when they’re feeling stressed but this usually only makes them feel worse in the long run. Alcohol is a depressant, so although initially it may make you feel more energetic or cheerful, this feeling fades quickly. The stress then returns with the additional tiredness and dehydration that comes with alcohol.
Drinking less is a much better idea if you really want to ease stress. If you reduce the amount you usually drink each week by as little as one or two drinks a day you should quickly start to see an improvement. Not only will you feel less stressed but it can help you lose weight, save money and make you feel fresher and more energetic too.
Eat well
You might not realise just how big a role your diet plays in how stressed you feel. Eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated can put a spring in your step and give you the strength and energy to cope more easily with stresses of everyday life.
Small changes like cutting down on added sugars, eating more unprocessed food and aiming to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day can give you more energy, help you manage your weight, make your skin look and feel better, and help you think more clearly.
Neglecting your diet on the other hand, can leave you feeling tired or run down, cause you to gain weight and lead to a number of health conditions. Here are a few handy tips that you can use to improve your diet.
- Choose whole natural foods and ensure at least 5 portions of fruit and veg per day. (Try to eat a rainbow of fruit and vegetables)
- Start the day with a balanced breakfast
- Eat some good quality protein in each meal (choose from lean meat, chicken, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds)
- Never skip meals – eat regularly, having healthy snacks when you need them
- Avoid highly refined foods, like white bread/pasta/chocolate/biscuits/sweets or anything with added sugars.
- Watch out for hidden sugars in many cereals, breads, tinned products and processed/ packaged foods. Choose unprocessed foods such as brown bread, rice, oats and rye instead.
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water
Other ways you can ease stress
As well as the above suggestions there are all kinds of things you can do to manage stress.