10 CALMING TRICKS TO TRY

Stop stress in its tracks with our easy ways to de-frazzle your body and mind

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Feeling overwhelmed by your day-to-day life? Running on adrenaline and coffee? While it might not be possible to shrink your to-do list or magic away a busy week, finding ways to take a breather is key for staying mentally and physically well. 'Relaxation is vital to our health and wellbeing, as well as our immune function,' says natural health and wellness expert Dr Tim Bond. But you don't need masses of time to make a difference when your stress levels are rising. Try these little tricks...

1 SQUISH AND SQUEEZE

Invest in a tiny pot of Play-Doh or slime to whip out for a mini-meditation when you want to feel calmer. 'Take two minutes to sit and press your fingers into the dough or slime – squishing, squeezing, rolling – and notice how your focus changes as you feel the cool, squidgy texture,' says wellbeing practitioner Nicci Roscoe, author of Micro Meditation*. 'This is a brilliant way to ground yourself, easing worries and lifting anxiety in a few minutes.'

2 BOOST YOUR LUNCH

Include legumes such as beans and lentils in your salad bowl or soup – these are a good source of magnesium, which helps calm the nervous system. Try a sprinkling of toasted pumpkin seeds, too. They are packed with magnesium and zinc and keep blood sugar stable, preventing the peaks and dips that can trigger stress hormones.

3 SCRIBBLE AWAY STRESS