Stress Busting Experiences for Stress Awareness Day

Today marks Stress Awareness Day. It is the annual day that is at the epicentre of International Stress Awareness Week, held every year during the first week of November. Founded by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA), this year it is the 50th anniversary of Stress Awareness Day.

The purpose of the day and the week as a whole is to raise global awareness and action for stress, and actively reduce this in our day to day lives and workplaces, something we all feel even more greatly with the huge technological advancements that have taken place in our world in the last 50 years.

So if you're feeling a bit under pressure today and need to pause for a moment, take this as your cue from us to stop what you're doing, grab a cuppa, maybe kick your shoes off, and come with us as we guide you through three of our experiences that we think are ideal stress busters…

• Yoga Forest Bathing Experience (£35, The One Garden, Brighton)

You've probably heard or read about the growing trend for forest bathing somewhere in the last year. Despite its name, rest assured you can keep your clothes on for this one!

The concept of forest bathing is what is known in Japan as Shinrin-Yoku, originating from a forestry agency in the 1980s as a way of getting city dwellers closer to nature for their health. It's a very meditative experience, that reconnects you with your senses out in nature in forests and woodlands, and your present writer can testify, having done such an experience myself, that it's incredibly relaxing.

And on this calming session, under the guidance of Xenia at her sensory retreat at the One Garden just outside Brighton, you'll enjoy not only a nice gentle session of yoga, but you'll also get to discover just how being outdoors and around green spaces in a quiet, serene setting will do wonders lowering your heart rate and resetting your energy levels.

• Learn to Lindy Hop for Two (£89, London)

One thing that has been proven time and again to be an effective mood booster and stress reliever is dancing. Not only is it a good form of exercise that gets the blood pumping and is a good release, but taking part in a dance class is a very sociable activity as well and helps you meet new people with like-minded interests.

And on these fun and enjoyable sessions, you'll learn to dance the Lindy Hop with the Swing Patrol team. And it doesn't matter what your level of dance experience is, because this is aimed at beginners so it's all done at a very even pace.

Over your first two sessions, you'll learn the basic six beat swing and eight beat swing moves, and in your final session, you'll learn how to do the Lindy Charleston. Time to grab your dancing shoes and trip the light fantastic!

• Candle Decoration Workshop (£45, Harrow, Greater London)

Having a hobby or a creative outlet such as an art or craft is for many people a great leveller and helps them reduce their stress. We've got quite a few creative experiences that would be ideal for those starting out with a new pastime, but one that we particularly love is this Candle Decorating workshop.

You can choose whether to have a kit delivered to your home or you can attend a workshop in person over at Harrow in Middlesex run by Nimsha. In your session, which will be about an hour in length, you'll learn about the beautiful and intricate art of candle decorating with henna.

Again, artistic prowess isn't a factor here, because creating these detailed mehndi designs from the useful, easy to follow patterns provided will soon boost your confidence and a tremendous sense of accomplishment in what you've created.

What's your favourite activity to unwind and take your stresses away with? We'd love to know your thoughts, so let us know on our social media channels.