Share your top tips for a slightly less stressed existence with Aviva and you could win £250 high street vouchers NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

We have been asked by the team at Aviva to find out your top tips for a slightly less stressed life - please share them on this thread and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £250 of high street vouchers.

Aviva say "Being a parent is an amazing experience, but it doesn't come without its challenges – particularly in today's hectic world. In fact, our Health Check UK research reveals that one in five of us are suffering from stress as we struggle to juggle our work life balance. And a similar amount says that family pressures are contributing to their anxiety. With a high proportion of women saying that they've suffered from stress, we want to help Mumsnetters take steps to tackle the issue.

As the real family experts, we want you to be involved too. What better way to do this than to share your tips and experiences with other Mumsnetters. We look forward to hearing your suggestions".

Share on this thread your tops tips - what is the small change you think you could make which could lead to a big health benefit for you? Or what do you wish your DH/DP or parents would do to reduce stress in their life? How stressed do you feel on a daily basis? What are the key triggers for stress and how do you manage them?

This is part of a campaign Aviva are launching this week where they are working with 10 MN bloggers to give them tips from their experts to help reduce their stress levels - Aviva say "armed with our experts ranging from a doctor, nutritionist and Premiership Rugby coach we want to help the bloggers achieve a healthier and less stressed life. The bloggers will be getting personalised health tips to try for 2 weeks - aiming to commit to at least one for a lifetime".

Here are the first posts from the bloggers:

House of three monkeys

Ordinary Cycling Girl

mummetamorphosis

Mrs England

To Become Mum

Barktime

Johnson Babies

The Beesley Buzz

Mummy is a gadget geek

Expression and Confession

If you have a question about private healthcare and insurance please ask the Aviva expert here.

Add your comment on this thread and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £250 high street voucher. Closing date: 19th May.

Thanks
MNHQ
Please note your anonymous comments may well be used by Aviva in a booklet, on their website or on their social media channels. Please only add a comment if you're happy for your comment to be used by them.

[deels]

plan ahead! thats all i can say!

also, make lists.

[tinacwrdu]

I have joined a choir! This is ME time!! The choir is a Sing with Us Tenovus cancer charity choir for any one who has had cancer, going through cancer or has had clsoe family or friends going through it! Everyone really! We sing great feel good songs and the choir has become like a family to me. We have time to chat, drink a coffee and eat cake!! Then an hour of singing! I fit my choir time around around dropping my son off for guitar lessons/skiiing lessons so have to go out of the house any way! Try to find something that slots into your busy schedule that is just for you! We also sing out now and perform and it gives you such a high and people really love hearing us sing! The choir socials are great too!

[ChocolateMama]

I think for me, the key to less stress is keeping organised. Making sure that the house in kept to a reasonable standard so that I can find what I am looking for quickly. Also, with paperwork, keep on top of it so that it doesn't get overwhelming. It is worth investing in some good quality boxes/bags etc to organise your stuff. Also, with the children, try and get everything for school ready the night before so it is just a case of up, breakfast and out of the door.

But, I really think the main thing is keeping organised a home, bin the clutter where possible!

[forcookssake]

Anything you can do the night before will take half the time it would in the morning when you're bleary eyed (set out clothes, any paperwork/books, house/car keys always in the same spot).
Make batches of sandwiches and freeze, then pull one out each morning for lunch box. It'll thaw by lunchtime

[kmills]

Getting in debt is a major stress factor. Try and avoid this by waiting until you can afford things before getting credit or loans.

[cheekychicken103]

Firstly when I'm stressed, its normally to do with situations that I need to sort out, like talking to someone about a problem that has occurred, and I'm not a confrontational person at all, so I tend to put it off. But as soon as I've had the chat with the person that's needed, I'm no longer stressed... So I think just get on with it and deal with the situation quickly and stop putting it off!

Secondly, surrounding yourself wit the right people, I'm a worrier which also makes me stressed, and I find If I spend time with people who tend to worry allot, then this completely rubs off on me. So I think sometimes you have to choose who you spend time with and what you 'take in' when you listen to conversations.

I am a Christian and God can help you to deal with stressful situations too, he's there to be depended on. 'Do not worry about anything, pray about everything with thanksgiving and praise.' Phillipians 4 vs 6-7

[DifferentNow]

I am mega stressed most of the time, more so now than I've ever been. Feeling organised and in control helps my stress levels. I've learned to focus on all the things I have achieved rather than the things I've not. I remind myself that my children will never be this small again and in theory, it should start getting a bit easier. I have recently decided to resign from my job to be a SAHM because I just couldn't cope with the stress. This was a huge decision but it was definitely the right one for me. Failing all else, a walk in the fresh air or a good night's sleep always make me feel a bit better.

[wibblyjelly]

I can get stressed if I start thinking of all the jobs I need to get round and do, as well as working full time. I do try and keep on top of things, but try not to worry too much, as a stressed wibbly means an unhappy household!

[WowOoo]

Exercise, fresh air and lists help me destress.
I also like getting lost in a good book or a film.

For day to day annoyances I try to remind myself to breathe deeply. It hasn't really helped today!

[CaptainSinker]

My main tip for a less stressed life must be finding time to do nothing! Down time is so important.

Also trying not to care about things that aren't really important. I don't always practice what I preach on this...

[MontysMum22]

My most stressful time was when my children were quite young and I also had an elderly Mum with quite serious health issues for whom I was the main carer. She went in and out of hospital and needed alot of care, plus I felt like I was letting the children down because they weren't getting enough of my time and weren't able to go out and do the things they should be doing. To be honest I didn't de stress, whilst I coped taking care of everyone else, I didn't consider what keeping up this unrealistic pace might be doing to me, with the result that I ended up getting seriously depressed. I am the example you really don't want to follow. However busy you are you need to set aside time for yourself whether its, going to the gym, out for a meal with a few friends,it doesn't matter what it is as long as it's time for you to slowdown and relax. It's not being indulgent having time out, its essential for your mental and physical health. Everyday you need to ask yourself what have I done today just for me, for my benefit only, how have I looked after my happiness?. Depression and nervous problems can happen to anyone,
you don't necessarily see it coming. The other people you are running around after, which is the reason we tell ourselves we can't take time out would rather you took an afternoon off than wear yourself into the ground and finish up in hospital for a month when you are forced by illness to slow down. It's taken me a very long time to learn how to cope with stress, what works for one person might not work for another but whatever you do make sure that relaxation and fun is high on your agenda. Also you should learn to let the little things go, don't try being SuperWoman on top of being Mum. Learn to say no to people who demand your time for non essential extra responsibilities, instead of finding new and destructive ways to spread yourself even more thinly.

[crimsonwitch]

3 children, chronic illness, and no money = one very stressed crimson. However, when it all feels too much, I take myself off on my own for a while. This could be for a matter of minutes or a good few hours depending on time constraints, but just being alone and doing something just for me helps my mind to reset. I will read a book, take a walk, have a hot bath, listen to music, anything that helps me to switch off. The other thing that helps me and my family through daily stresses is laughter and lots of it. Sometimes when I am getting stressed at something meaningless (like sorting out laundry, or the never-ending cleaning) I try and take a step back and laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

[AnnMumsnet]

Thanks for all the tips and comments.
Am pleased to say TeamEdward has won the £250 high street voucher. Well done!