SWITCH ACTIVITIES

Try these three different types of exercise for instant stress relief, says personal trainer Harkirat Mahal of Motivatept:

Raise your heart rate and release feelgood endorphins with short bursts of exercise. Try running up and down the stairs five times, or a 10-15 minute home workout (see Youtube).

Go for a power walk. It’s easy to stay indoors when the to-do list is mounting, but low-intensity exercise, such as walking, boosts circulation and leaves you feeling more relaxed as well as alert.

Stop and squat! An easy way to stop rising panic and focus the mind is to try a stationary pose. With your back against a wall, slide down until your knees are at a right angle and hold. Thirty seconds means you need practice but 90 seconds or more is fantastic. Straighten your legs and repeat two or three times.