7 Ways to Maximise Your Mental Wellbeing When Stressed

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Stress and energy depletion are some of the biggest afflictions plaguing today’s 24/7 society, which is partly why successful model and AfN-accredited nutritionist, Sarah Ann Macklin, founded the Be Well Collective. Her wellbeing initiative works to support models throughout the stressful times of Fashion Week (and beyond), but its message of self-care and nutritional awareness applies to most of us living our breakneck lifestyles today.

At the launch of her Fashion Fix breakfast at W London, (an immunity-boosting, stress-reducing, protein-rich menu Macklin’s curated for all visitors – not just the fash pack), she hosted a panel on ways to maximise mental wellbeing.

Alongside experts Dr Nick Knight, a London-based GP; Howard Napper, TEDx speaker of The Art of Lifestyle Medicine’; and Jillian Lavender, founder of the London Meditation Centre, Macklin discussed the importance of nutrition, sleep, self-care and understanding anxiety during times of stress. Here are some stress management lessons we learnt from the event that will resonate with many.

This article first appeared in Harper's BAZAAR UK

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5. Find a meditation that works for you

Jillian Lavender, who teaches Vedic Meditation (both practical and easy), says: “Meditation takes you to a place of being. We’re human beings, not human doings, or thinkings!” She believes meditation can achieve deeper rest than sleep grants and that it’s the ultimate ancient tool for stress management in our modern lives. If you don’t have an established practice, Dr Knight says to try beginning with breathing meditation in moments of stress and anxiety. “Physically calm yourself by taking deep, slow breaths in through your nose for six seconds, and then slow, long breaths out through your mouth for another six seconds.”

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