Stress down

Photography Getty Images

It's common to experience stress but there easy and immediate ways to reduce the triggers

Get more sleep

“Around 80 per cent of Aussies have some difficulty sleeping,” says Women's Health stress less expert Dr Suzy Green.

To make mattress, sorry, matters worse, a study from the Clayton Sleep Institute, US, found poor sleep boosts stress levels. Dr Kristyn Kemp from Adelaide Insomnia Clinic suggests a strict sleep routine.

“A lot of people sleep in and stay up late, which can delay the natural body clock.” Can’t nod off? Get up and do something dull in another room, says Kemp. “When you’re tired go back to bed.”

Keep motivation on track

Skip pump class more than you attend? “Unless we are ‘intrinsically motivated’ – we love it or it’s linked to our values – we’re unlikely to achieve our goal,” says Dr Green.

So remember these goal-setting guidelines: make them specific (30 mins of cardio and 15 mins of weights twice a week); inspiring (“I want to run a half-marathon”); and create “implementation intentions” (“I will run at 6am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays”).

If motivation still flags, remember: “Exercise helps to dissipate the adrenaline through your body, which reduces stress symptoms,” says Dr Green.

Banish post-holiday blues

That back-to-work feeling can shred your mood to pieces.

“The first thing to do after coming back from one holiday is book the next one – it’ll boost work motivation,” says Domonique Bertolucci, author of Your Best Life.

Also, set goals both for your career and life away from the desk.

“Often people fall into the trap of thinking work is who they are, but it’s not – it’s what you do,” says Bertolucci. “Setting goals for your whole life ensures your life outside work is rich and varied.”

Slash savings stress

Recent ANZ research found 53 per cent of women don’t save money on a regular basis. For this reason Women's Health money expert Justine Davies suggests an “out of sight, out of mind” approach:

“Work out how much you want to save each fortnight or month, and ask your payroll person to pay it into a separate account. You’ll forget the money is there.”