Stress Management: Tips to Stay Calm and Create Clarity

Disclaimer: None of us are mental health professionals, just a bunch of ‘professionals’
who care about mental health.  

“You can’t get stressed working with hot chocolate!” I hear you say. You can, and we do. Ask Charlotte E who just got a call to tell her a courier has abandoned a huge delivery at a construction site miles from the customer’s address 👍. 

We might not be making life-or-death decisions in our day to day roles, but this gives us the first rule of stress; everyone’s stress is valid. 

We don’t all have the same triggers when it comes to stress and not all stress is equal. Trying to connect to the WIFI on an Avanti West Coast train can be stressful, but the teacher currently trying to maintain control of her class on an excursion to London may have it harder. But we can’t assume how and why someone will experience stress. That teacher might be as calm as a cucumber. The mind is a beautifully complex thing. 

Just as we all experience stress differently, how we overcome stress can also vary for the person and with the situation. So, we put the question “How do you deal with stress?” to the Blendsmiths team. We hope some of our coping strategies might help, inspire, or just remind you that your stress is valid and you’re not alone.  

🌿Move More, Stress Less: Find Peace in Nature

Many of us turn to nature when stress levels rise. Not surprising given that evidence shows spending just 20 minutes a day outdoors can improve your mental well-being. 

As Jasmine notes though, sometimes it can be a case of “MAKING myself get out for a walk with fresh air”. Motivating yourself to get outside can be hard, especially during the winter. If simply knowing ‘it’ll be good for you’ isn’t enough motivation, have a reward – like a delicious cup of hot chocolate - ready for yourself when you return. 
Bonus: Cocoa contains flavanols linked to improved cognitive function and reduced stress levels.  

It can be even harder to motivate ourselves to get out and exercise. But whether you get out for a 20 minute stroll or a 20 mile run, you’re sure to feel the benefit of spending a little time in nature. 

“A run each day enables me to let off some steam, focus on my breathing and switch off from everything else” – Ryan 

🍵 Make 'Me-Time' For Yourself

Matcha is traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony, a cultural ritual with roots in Zen Buddhism that promotes harmony, tranquility, and mindfulness. There may be less ritual in a more modern matcha latte, but taking some ‘me time’ making or stepping out for a drink is still a great way to reduce stress. It also helps that matcha is crafted from L-theanine-rich green tea, known for its calming effect on the mind. 

Team Blendsmiths are big advocates of taking a break - the productive kind. 

Whether it's 5 minutes of breathwork like Ryan or “just taking a step back and reassessing the situation” like Charlotte E, giving yourself some time and space can be important when dealing with stressful situations. 

“I follow a two-step process: first, take a moment and breathe before reacting; then, I remind myself that ‘Stress acts as an accelerator: it will push you either forward or backward, but you choose which direction” – Leila 

🎨 Find an Outlet in the Arts 

Creative outlets can be great immersive experiences that distract your mind. The gold standard of ‘flow state’ where you are fully focused on an activity can even help with emotional regulation. 

Our resident DJ Steve will “head to the studio to make music with my wife”, while Harriet swears by a writing technique she recently discovered by Mo Gawdat where she “goes wild with a pen and paper to clear her mind”. 

When it all gets a bit much, I tend to throw myself into cooking or disappear into the world of Harry Potter with a movie marathon. I like to think of an immersive film or book as a minibreak for the mind. 

"Getting lost in another world is my ultimate way to relax and escape adult responsibilities, even if just for a few hours” – Charlotte J-W 

❤️‍🩹 Social Medicine 

Although many of us choose to deal with stress alone, sometimes sharing your stress really is the best medicine. You’ve likely heard the idiom “A problem shared is a problem halved”. We don’t always voice our problems because we think nobody can help or that they don’t care but talking about what’s causing you stress can help ‘unload’ some of the emotional burden you’re carrying. Remember; everyone’s stress is valid. 

“Sometimes, venting and a warm drink are all you need to reset and feel a little lighter” – Charlotte J-W 

✨ Sleep: the Solid Foundation of Wellbeing

Like the other fathers in the team, Chris highlights the importance of finding some peace because his mind is best armed to deal with stress when he’s had enough sleep.
(We hope you’re reading this kids…) 

Getting enough quality sleep has been linked to numerous mental and physical benefits making it one of the most important factors for overall well-being. If you struggle with nodding off, we find a non-caffeinated warm drink before bed can help with relaxation. 

“sleep is EVERYTHING. If you are not getting enough sleep, everything else falls apart” – Jasmine

There’s no right or wrong way to deal with stress but hopefully we’ve given you some food (and drink) for thought.  

(And if you’re reading this before bed, put your phone or laptop down and please go get some good Z’s by order of the Blendsmiths team)