4) Get some sleep!
Anxiety and stress can cause us to have low quality sleep or stop us from sleeping all together, but is also a bit of a catch-22 as a good night’s sleep can help reduce anxious thoughts throughout the day.
Good sleep is hard to come by, TRIP’s March 2021 Sleep Study concluded that in 2020 the UK slept worse than ever. After interviewing over 800 UK residents, it quickly became clear that not many were getting their 8 hours a night. With sleep often not being easy to come by, the global events of that last year haven’t helped with 75% of people believing that they struggled to fall asleep due to the stress brought about by national lockdowns.
You can help to improve your sleeping habits by trying the things below:
- To reduce screen time before bed
- Avoid caffeine close to bedtime
- Not eating large meals or sugar before bed
- Improving your sleeping environment by tidying up, making your bedroom dark and cool and ensuring you have comfortable cosy bedding
- Writing down your worries before going to bed
5) Try taking CBD
With recent events, it is no wonder that we are more stressed than ever. With the world on the hunt to find new ways to find calm in the chaos, many are turning to CBD. A recent survey showed that 49% of millenials and Gen Z have increased their use of CBD oil since lockdown began.
CBD has a vast array of benefits but what it is most widely used for is to help you feel calmer, less stressed and to soothe anxiousness. CBD may be able to help us in the most stressful of moments, by helping us feel more calm - physically and emotionally.
CBD products work with our Endocannabinoid system - a network of receptors that regulate our optimal balance. This includes stress, anxiety, sleep quality, our immune system, pain and inflammation. CBD can help to support this system, and may be able to help you feel more calm, less stressed and more you.
CBD can come in many different formats, such as CBD drinks , CBD oils, capsules or even chocolate. It can be incorporated into your daily routine whenever you may need it! Perhaps this might be a few drops of CBD oil when you wake up to start the day refreshed and focused, or a CBD drink, like TRIP’s Elderflower Mint , to help you wind down in the evening.
6) Try aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses fragrance and the properties of essential oils to help you feel calmer and to support your wellbeing. These have been shown to help you relax, boost your mood and reduce blood pressure.
You can inhale them directly, place a few drops in a bath or add them to your diffuser. Common essential oils used to destress and unwind include: lavender, bergamot, ylang ylang and chamomile.