Build your resilience

Stress can hijack your life when you least expect it, but these self-care tips will help you weather the storms.

✱ CHANGE YOUR MINDSET ‘Be your own best friend. Notice self-criticism and swap it for some self-compassion,’ says Professor James. ‘When you notice yourself thinking negatively, such as asking yourself “What if it all goes wrong?”, instead ask yourself, “What if it all goes well?” Doing this will help to stop your catastrophising tendencies and change your default thought patterns.’

✱ WAKE UP STRONG ‘Try starting your day by saying an inspirational mantra out loud, like “I love life and life loves me”,’ suggests Eve Menezes Cunningham, a trauma therapist and author of 365 Ways to Feel Better (£14.99, White Owl). ‘Some mornings you’ll believe it. Other times, you’ll know you’ll need to be extra gentle and patient with yourself.’

✱ FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE ‘Through meditation or memory, you can nurture feelings of joy that are proven to boost levels of the happiness hormone DHEA,’ says Eve. She explains that when you’re feeling great and producing DHEA, the negative effects of the stress hormone cortisol is offset.