To mark the beginning of Stress Awareness Month, we’ve teamed up with Sophie Cliff, aka The Joyful Coach, to share some of her top tips for reducing stress to achieve your best night’s sleep.
1. Write a "done" list
Feeling overwhelmed is often why we’re left stressed at the end of the day, as we focus on the things on our to-do list we didn't manage to complete. But how often do you take the time to give yourself a pat on the back for all the things you have done? That's where a done list comes in! End your working day by writing a list of everything you've achieved and allow yourself to feel good about the progress you've made. This also helps to give a clear end to the working day (particularly useful if you're still working from home!).
2. Do something to relax your body
When we're stressed, we hold a lot of tension in our body which can make us feel uncomfortable. Try ease into your evening with something that will help you to relax. A good stretch, some gentle exercise, or a hot bath (my personal favorite!) can all do the trick.
3. Practice gratitude
Stress goes hand-in-hand with negative mood, and a great way to invite positive emotions is to practice gratitude. Try identifying the best parts of your day and think about everything you're grateful for. You can jot it down in a list if you’d like, but just thinking about it will help bring a little joy into your evening.
4. Swap tech for a good book
If you're feeling overwhelmed, one of the best things you can do is swap your phone for a good book. When we're stressed, we're more vulnerable to experiencing comparison or anxiety when we scroll through social media, so try getting lost in a good book instead. I particularly love to read fiction in the evening as I find it helps me to wind down.
5. Create a little ritual before you sleep
Stress can interrupt our ability to drift off peacefully but having a little pre-bedtime routine can really help. By doing the same thing every night, you'll start to signal to your brain that it's time to wind down. For me, that looks like brushing my teeth, spritzing my pillow with some lavender spray, and setting my Lumie Bodyclock to sunset mode - I'm usually snoozing away within minutes!