A recent survey in the UK revealed that more than 76% of people, actively involved in the workforce, are experiencing a moderate to high level of stress daily. 

This is a staggering number. And, the repercussions of such high-stress levels among our population will be even more disastrous in the future. 

Why is stress bad for you?

Let’s face it – a little stress is good for you. It allows you to push yourself and be a better version of yourself. However, it becomes a problem when you experience a high level of stress regularly and it starts to interfere with your life. 

Stress can cause problems such as –

• It can lead to mental health problems. 
• It is the leading cause of heart disease. 
• It leads to early aging and brain decline.
• It can cause irreparable damage to your relationships. 

These are just a few ways in which stress can wreak havoc on your life. It is best to keep as far as possible from stressful situations in daily life. However, it is easier said than done. Our busy lives throw stress at us now and then.

The only way to deal with stress is to develop healthy coping strategies. 

8 Ways to Cope with Stress in a Healthy Manner 

Here are 8 tried and tested ways to cope with stress in a simple and healthy way – 

1. Learn a breathing technique. A quick and simple breathing technique that you can use on the go whenever you are faced with a stressful situation. 
2. Develop a circle of people you trust. Talk to these people now and then. Don’t keep your emotions bottled up, open up to them and share your feelings. 
3. Exercise. By doing just 30 minutes of physical exercise a day, you can reduce stress hormones in your day by a big factor. 
4. Take care of what you eat. Eat fresh, clean food, and try to avoid eating unhealthy, oil and salt-rich food. What you eat directly affects your stress level. 
5. Pick a destressing hobby. Do something you like, something that calms you for just a few minutes a day. It can be something as simple as reading a book or painting. 
6. Join a support group. If you think you cannot do this alone, then join a support group close to you. You will find that so many are walking the same path as you. 
7. Journal. Before you go to bed, put pen to paper and write down that one thing that stressed you out today. You will feel light and relaxed (plus, you will sleep better). 
8. Focus on good sleep. A good, deep sleep is the best way to cope with stress. Try to aim for a deep sleep. Make whatever changes you need to make in your environment to enable you to sleep deeper and longer. 

If you are constantly stressed out, it is time to seek help 

If you are stressed out to an extent that it is interfering with your daily life and is making it difficult for you to get by then it's time to seek professional help. It is the right time to consult with a therapist and try to fix it before it becomes a bigger problem like depression. 

Find a therapist on UK Therapy Guide 

Find a trusted, qualified therapist on UK Therapy Guide. With UK Therapy Guide, you can get started on the journey to mental well-being within minutes. We have hundreds of qualified therapists from all over the nation waiting to help you on your path to recovery.