Taking the edge off stress
Some stress is part of life. What helps is having a few small things to reach for when a week gets heavy.
Breathe out slowly
Slow breathing calms the body quickly. Breathe in through the nose for a count of four, then out for a count of six. A few minutes of this, once or twice a day, is enough to notice a difference.
Get outside
Time outdoors, a walk in a park or along a street with trees, lifts the mood for many people. Combined with the movement it brings, it is one of the simplest things to do.
Write it down
Worries take up less room on paper. A short list of what is on your mind, and the one next step for each, can make a crowded head feel lighter.
Keep in touch
Talking to a friend or someone in the family, even briefly, helps. So does keeping up the basics: regular meals, sleep and some movement, which are often the first things to slip.
If low mood or anxiety lasts for weeks or gets in the way of daily life, talk to a doctor. If you are in crisis, contact your local emergency number.