Aviva Less Stress Challenge with Mumsnet

Always busy, busy, busy, with no time to myself!

I knew this was just what I needed when the opportunity came up to get some personalised advice from Aviva via their Less Stress challenge with Mumsnet.

I've made a short video to explain just why this project came up at the perfect time for me.

After hearing about my lifestyle and 'stress' issues, Dr Doug Wright who has worked at Aviva for 15 years from full time practice as a GP and Paddy Anson, Head of Strength and Conditioning at Gloucester Rugby who’s tasked with setting out the training and diet plans for the players have given me the following personalised advice:

Work-life balance from Dr Doug
“Your stress levels are high and I'm concerned that this is spilling into the rest of your life. The worries at night stopping you from sleeping - feeling overwhelmed and the extra things in your life are worrying. You should consider seeing your GP and/or speaking to a stress counsellor. Schedule in some 'you time' and stick to it. You're rushing around doing things for everyone else that you need some time to yourself and start on the goals you want to achieve - weight loss. ‘You-time’ also helps to put the day into perspective”.

Wellbeing from Dr Doug
“Good sleep hygiene is important but it does take time to get it right. Keep things dark and cool. Too much light (even that from your laptop/computer) inhibits the production of melatonin the hormone which makes us sleepy. A drop in temperature triggers the body to sleep. If you can't sleep don’t stress about sleeping. If you can’t get to sleep after 20 minutes, get up and do something boring in dim light. They try again in 15 minutes.”

Diet from Paddy
“There is research that shows foods that are green or red helps elevate mood - so beets, carrots, blueberries, berries, spinach, broccoli for example. If we get our daily requirement of vitamins and minerals it helps our ‘feel good’ disposition, as we are more likely to have supported our immune system”.

I can't emphasise just how 'spot on' these tips have been for me. I had filled in a questionnaire about how I was feeling at the moment, but both Dr Doug and Paddy seem to have read between the lines too and really picked out key things that I have been battling with for a long time like the need for 'me time'.

I am so grateful for these tips on Worklife balance, wellbeing and diet and I will be putting them into practice and letting you know how I get on soon!

Disclosure: I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Network Research Panel, a group of parent bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for Mumsnet. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity. I will receive a small incentive upon completion of the Stress Less challenge  for blogging about my experience.