

"Talking things through with a friend will also help you find solutions to your problems," says Professor Cooper. We often have a good laugh with them, which is an excellent stress reliever. The activities we do with friends help us relax. "If you don't connect with people, you won't have support to turn to when you need help," says Professor Cooper. Get tips on how to manage your time Connect with peopleĪ good support network of colleagues, friends and family can ease your work troubles and help you see things in a different way. The act of taking control is in itself empowering, and it's a crucial part of finding a solution that satisfies you and not someone else. "That feeling of loss of control is one of the main causes of stress and lack of wellbeing." "If you remain passive, thinking, 'I can't do anything about my problem', your stress will get worse," says Professor Cooper. These are Professor Cooper's top 10 stress-busting suggestions: Be activeĮxercise won't make your stress disappear, but it will reduce some of the emotional intensity that you're feeling, clearing your thoughts and letting you deal with your problems more calmly.įor more advice, read how being active helps mental wellbeing. He says the keys to good stress management are building emotional strength, being in control of your situation, having a good social network, and adopting a positive outlook. "Not taking control of the situation and doing nothing will only make your problems worse."

"In life, there's always a solution to a problem," says Professor Cary Cooper, an occupational health expert at the University of Lancaster. The most unhelpful thing you can do is turn to something unhealthy to help you cope, such as smoking or drinking. If you're stressed, whether by your job or something more personal, the first step to feeling better is to identify the cause.
