Be calmer by the weekend

Yes, you can! Go swiftly from chaotic to calm by following these 10 simple steps

- FAYE M SMITH

Feeling frazzled? These unsettling times are having a big impact on our mental health. In fact, women in their 50s now feel anxious for more than an hour and a half each day, compared to 57 minutes before the pandemic.* And that’s not all – as we age, our calming and feel-good hormones, progesterone and oestrogen, alter dramatically around and after menopause. ‘So it’s no surprise those over 50 have seen the biggest jump in the time they spend suffering from stress and anxiety in recent months,’ says chartered psychologist Dr Meg Arroll. Want to feel calmer by the weekend? Here’s how…

1 Fake a smile Not only does this raise endorphin levels, making you feel happier, but studies by the University of Kansas say fake smiling stops stress taking its toll on your body. And if you want an extra boost of calm? Apply lipstick! The feel-good factor of applying make-up has been proven to boost mood instantly**.

2 Draw yourself calmer

‘Draw your unpleasant feelings,’ says Dr Arroll. ‘Some of us are more visual and can find it hard to write down feelings so, instead, draw your anxiety. Give it as much detail as you can because expressing and labelling your feelings in this way will allow you to process them, lessening the intense hold they have over you.’

3 Meditate at home