Welcome to Mental Health Awareness Week 2026. You are not alone, and your mental wellbeing is important. When we take time for personal recovery, we also recharge the energy we need to support others.
I’m providing a fully funded mini focus session to help you make progress with something important to you – register here
Today’s post was inspired by asking myself a question:
If I could only recommend two techniques to help people manage stress this week, what would they be?
What have I seen work for thousands of people over the last 10 years?
Stress is not the enemy
Short bursts of stress sharpen focus, increase energy, and help us act.
Stress becomes harmful when it lasts too long without a break.
High performance requires effort and recovery.
Stress + recovery = increased resilience
Stress + no recovery = burnout
The most useful starting point is to focus on what we can control.
Calm Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated
When stress builds, we often look for something big to fix it.
More time.
A full break.
A perfect routine.
But calm doesn’t start with perfect. It starts with something small we actually do.
Here are two simple ways to feel noticeably calmer today.
1) A restorative break walk
Not a power walk.
Not another task.
A short, gentle walk with one intention: let your system settle.
How to do it:
Step outside for 5–10 minutes
Walk a little slower than usual
Take some long slow exhales and feel your shoulders drop
Let your eyes take in open space, trees, sky, light
No phone
Why this works:
Nature gives your brain a break from constant stimulation.
Wide views help reduce mental fatigue
Natural light supports your mood and energy
Gentle movement releases physical tension
Slower breathing signals safety to your nervous system
Going for a restorative walk isn’t a break from productivity. It’s like clearing the tabs in your brain.
Everything feels less cluttered, decisions feel easier, and you can actually think again.
You’re resetting your system so it can work better after.
2) Sit down and do nothing (with a drink)
This one often gets resistance.
It looks like laziness. It isn’t.
How to do it:
Sit down with a drink of your choice
Set a timer for 10 minutes
No phone, no input, no tasks
Let your mind wander - I like doing it looking out the window or in the sun in the garden
If it helps, soften your shoulders and take a 4 Breath Pause
Why this works:
Even though it looks like nothing is happening, your brain is doing something very valuable.
It switches into a quieter mode - the default mode network
It processes thoughts and emotions in the background
It connects ideas and restores mental clarity
It reduces the build up of cognitive fatigue
This is the space where insight, perspective, and calm return. Over time, it’s also where we find the resources to become the person we want to be.
Final thought
You don’t need to replan the whole day. Just choose one:
A short restorative walk
or
10 minutes of doing nothing
Small actions. Valuable impact.
Think about the things that really matter. The things that truly feel meaningful.
You’ll find most of them are tiny, everyday moments. Here are some of mine; laughing with the children, enjoying the sun on my face, a meal with friends, time to read a good book in peace, an ice cream on a hot day, a swim at the end of a work day, the smell of clean sheets, peaceful sleep.
An acorn becomes an oak. A spark becomes a fire.
You are a good person, doing your best. That’s enough.
“Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.” - Peter Marshall
The lightest, strongest bike lock - here
MHAW top ten actions (good to share around the office) - here
Need a hand? Feel alone? Don’t wait, contact someone today. You deserve support as much as anyone else. You are not alone. Reply to this message if that’s easiest.
Text Shout - 85258 - simple support via text, I used when I wasn’t sure who to turn to
Call Samaritans 116 123 - no problem too small, I’ve used a couple of times, once during a relationship break up, once when one of my family said they were suicidal and I wasn’t sure who to ask for help
NHS Every Mind Matters - simple and effective resources you can access immediately here
A wholehearted THANK YOU again, dear Sam!