Was one of your resolutions for 2024 to “stress less,” “manage stress in a healthier way,” or “invest in self care and time for yourself every week”? If so, how are those going? Q1 is ahead of us, and it’s time to take stock of our goals and good intentions for the rest of the year.
 

If you’ve been feeling increasingly more stressed, and wondering what you can do to manage life a little better, you’re not alone. A 2018 survey by the Mental Health Foundation found that “74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope,” with 81% of women, in particular, feeling overwhelmed by life compared to 67% of men. 
 

It’s safe to say that between the pandemic years, the geopolitical difficulties we’re currently facing, climate change and even the cost of living crisis, things haven’t gotten any better since 2018. At the same time, the concept of self care has become ubiquitous and largely more commercialised in the last few years. 

So, what’s the truth? Are there really any healthy ways to handle life's stressors? Can self care be considered mental health care, and what can you do in your everyday life to feel a little less overwhelmed by it all? Keep reading for a complete overview of everything you need to know about stress reduction and self care in the modern world!