Stress management: Kiss goodbye to daily stress!

1. 'Reframe' negative self-beliefs. Turn, 'I'm fat and I hate myself,' into, 'Today I'll do one healthy thing like not put butter on my toast'. Once you've begun to reframe your thoughts to do more positive and beneficial things for yourself, the next step is to reframe them in a completely positive way. For example, you're now aware of making small steps to be healthier and happier so when a negative thought pops into your head change it too, 'Don't I look fab today!'
2. Identify the stress 'triggers' that send you running for the biscuits. Instead of giving in to such triggers do something positive. Not only will this decrease stress but grow your confidence in all areas of your life.
3. Re-label your 'brand' - instead of believing yourself to be, for example, 'Frumpy Debbie' become 'Friendly Debbie' or 'Assertive Debbie'. We all have a 'brand' and the more positive yours is, the happier you'll feel and more able to combat stress in this area.
4. Select your best attribute (for example, your legs or eyes) and emphasise it through fashion or make-up choices.
5. When stressful thoughts of, 'I'll never get slim' flood your mind, replace them with a soothing self-affirmation: 'I'm a lovely person and I'm starting to cherish myself.'
6. Develop a food-friendly approach to eating. Buy healthier options for your fridge and cupboards. Eat only when hungry and not for stress-relief. Resist bingeing/comfort eating by doing a positive alternative - like ringing a friend, taking a brisk walk, or doing a hobby.
7. Eat mood-boosting foods to combat stress like oily fish, turkey, fresh fruits and veg.

Work stress
With so many days lost to stress-related problems, many of us are unhappy at work.

1. Identify which part of your job you like most. Try to build in more of that to your responsibilities.
2. Identify the things that make you unhappy. Brainstorm ideas for making those things work for you.
3. Have regular planned meetings with your manager to assess your work, including your level of happiness and fulfilment. If you find your manager unresponsive or unhelpful explore how you two can work this out. Perhaps your manager has an 'easier' day each week where they're not overloaded with meetings, etc. Meet on that day, when you're most likely to have a positive interaction.
4. If you have difficulties with your manager, speak confidentially to HR to seek solutions.
5. Find in-house or evening class skills-training to help you move forwards in your career. Boredom and lack of fulfilment fuel work stress.