Stress, Stress, Stress

Let’s talk about it.

Hello, Lovely! Welcome back to Moments. And thanks for reading!

I hope you had a lovely Easter, maybe even snuck in a break? If not… don’t worry, there are two more bank holidays on the way.

Got anything lined up for next month? Let me know in the comments!

I’ve got a cheeky little trip to Ibiza planned with my friend Xenia, we’re off to see our mate Suzy do her Kylie and Madonna tribute.

Sunhat and shades at the ready, we are ready for a few days of laughing, dancing, switching off – exactly what we both need after a non-stop start to the year.

And it got me thinking… how do you handle stress?

Because whether it’s jetting off to Ibiza, having a spa day, sitting on a bench in your local park enjoying a good book, or even crashing on a mate’s sofa for the night after a girly gossip - a change of scenery can work wonders.

(Sleepovers aren’t just for kids, by the way – I stand by that one.)

Here are a few more (scientifically backed) ways to ease stress:

• Mindfulness and meditation: A few minutes a day can reduce anxiety and boost emotional resilience.

• Movement: Exercise releases endorphins, which improve mood and lower cortisol (the stress hormone).

• Journaling: Helps clear mental clutter. (And you know my feeling on journalling!)

• Micro breaks – Even a one-night Airbnb escape or caravan stay can reset your system.

• Connection: Male readers, this one’s for you. Research shows men often benefit from shared activities (football, pub catch-ups, even a walk with a mate) to decompress and open up.

• Nature: Just 20 minutes in green space can significantly lower stress levels. (Yale study)

Stress is inevitable, but chronic stress?

That’s when things get dangerous. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of people in the UK felt so stressed they were overwhelmed or unable to cope in the last year.

I know what that’s like. I stayed waaaay too long in a job that was draining me. It left me devoid of energy to even think straight. But the one thing I finally woke up to was that I wasn’t performing well & I was thoroughly burnt out. So in the end I made the tough choice to quit. Afterwards I felt I could breathe again.

You’ve probably been through it. And if you haven’t, I definitely don’t want that to happen to you.

Which is why I’m planning on running a 5-Day Energy Bootcamp Challenge next month.

Don’t worry. It’s not anything like the assault course you used to see on the Krypton Factor 🤣

It’s VIRTUAL for a start. Bite-sized and inbox-friendly. And totally doable.

Every day (Monday through Friday), I’ll share with you some ideas for simple easy rituals you can incorporate into your day, to give you a boost of energy. Think of it as your digital double espresso... without the jitters and the eventual crash or headache!

The habits are all type of things I do my best to engage across the week to stay fuelled and fortified through busy and chaotic times.

Everything from establishing a morning ritual, switching up some foods in your diet, how to beat that dreaded ‘afternoon slump’ and more.

If your battery’s running low – this is for you. Same if you’ve got a friend in the same boat. Let them know it’s on the way, won’t you?

Once the Challenge is all prepped, I’ll share all the details on how you can opt in - and when it’s going to start.

Wishing you an energy-filled weekend, with lots of love!

Marv

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