We all know that too much stress in our lives is bad for our health. Long-term stress can lead to a number of physical, mental, and emotional health problems, as well as aggravating any existing conditions. In an attempt to keep stress at bay and learn how to deal with it more effectively, StyleNest spoke to Lyndelle Palmer Clarke, personal growth expert and author of the Dailygreatness Journal range, for her top tips on how to beat stress.  

1. Acknowledge your triggers: Awareness is the first step to change. You need first to know what triggers stress for you before you can take steps to change it. Acknowledging those triggers is how you begin to manage and overcome stress, so it doesn’t end up overwhelming you. If caffeine is a stress trigger, then limit your coffees to one a day or less. If certain people trigger stress in you, limit your exposure to them. If certain situations cause you to feel stressed, you have two choices. Either learn to face those situations, so they don’t overwhelm you or limit your exposure to them.
2. Follow the source: Sometimes it’s not obvious where your stress is coming from. It could be an outside situation that is obvious or a subtle recurring thought pattern that creates your stress. Either way, you need to get to the source so you can proactively work to remove the stress point and find peace.
3. Remember to breathe: It might seem simple but when was the last time you actually stopped and took a big deep conscious breath? Sometimes that’s all it takes to reduce stress and instantly feel better.
4. Journal: Journalling brings the unconscious into the conscious, and unconscious thinking patterns are very often the cause of stress. By putting those thoughts on paper, you can begin to reveal the source of your stress and finally empower yourself to let go of whatever is holding you in that stress pattern. Try the Dailygreatness Journal: A Practical Guide for Consciously Creating Your Days which can help you master your mind-set and reach your potential.
5. Take a day off: Sometimes all we need is to relax, re-set and rejuvenate. Taking a day off to do nothing but rest can be all it takes to feel unburdened, energised and inspired again. It takes emotional intelligence to recognise when we need to rest, and it is the smartest thing you can do for yourself and those around you.
6. Build a foundation: Stress is usually not an overnight occurrence. It builds up over time due to not taking care of ourselves. Stress strikes when we don’t have a good foundation in place. My simple stress relieving checklist includes daily exercise, drinking enough water, yoga or meditation, a good night sleep, a healthy diet and a positive mind-set.

Lyndelle Palmer Clarke is a personal growth expert and author of the Dailygreatness Journal range, including the newly published Dailygreatness Business Planner, available now at www.dailygreatness.co