HOW TO BEAT THE BURNOUT EPIDEMIC

DO EXERCISES . . . IN YOUR BED

THE most efficient way to complete the stress response cycle is physical activity. Anything that moves your body enough to get you breathing deeply for about 20 minutes daily will do.

Try sitting in a chair, or in bed, and repeatedly tensing all your muscles for 20 seconds, then shaking it out with a big exhale.

TALK TO FELLOW COMMUTERS

HUMANS use their social connections with others to regulate emotions, and this applies not to friends, colleagues and family but strangers, too. Studies show that people who have engaged in a casual chat with fellow train passengers feel happier and healthier throughout the day, compared to silent commuters.

WATCH A MOVIE TEAR-JERKER

WATCHING the characters in a schmaltzy film experience difficult emotions helps your brain and body to process them, too. One study by psychologists at the University of South Florida evaluated 3,000 crying episodes and found increased contentment in 60 to 70 per cent of people after they shed tears.

DAYDREAM . . . EVERY TWO HOURS

THE brain doesn’t ‘switch off’ during daydreaming. In fact, the ‘default mode network’ performs important tasks including processing the day’s events and planning for the future. Continued activation of this network improves cognitive performance, creativity and overall happiness. Switch your mind from a certain task to a daydreaming activity, including playing games on your phone, every two hours.

COOK OR SHOP, EVERY DAY

STUDIES show that spending time eating, preparing or shopping for food can have a meditative effect on the brain, relaxing the body. It also serves to connect the body and mind, distracting from whirring, distressing thoughts.

REST... 42 PER CENT OF THE TIME

Research shows that spending 42 per cent of your time resting ensures optimum functioning of immune, digestive and hormonal systems. That’s about ten hours out of every 24. It sounds a lot, but menial, everyday tasks are included; physical activity, stress-reducing conversation and taking a bath, for example.