Stress-Busters!

Everyone gets stressed out sometimes and a bit of nervous energy is no bad thing – it gets our bodies going so we can cope when life gets a little too hectic. But being overstressed can lead to a whole range of health problems including headaches, high blood pressure and depression.

Dubbed the 'epidemic of the 21st century', stress is estimated to affect up to 14 million men and women in the UK. Nearly 90% of all visits to GP surgeries are stress related and about 45 million working days are lost each year through anxiety and stress-related illness.

So how do we know when a little stress becomes too much? And what can we do about it? This National Stress Awareness Day, come and find out about the science behind stress and discover if you’re stressed out yourself. Get top tips from our stress-busting experts on how to keep cool when the pressure builds up.

Angela Clow, Professor of Psychology at the University of Westminster, will be examining what stress is, why we get it and how it affects our bodies and our minds.

Krishna Gandhi will be looking at how we can measure stress by testing the body’s own responses. She’ll be bringing along some stress testing kit to try out, so come and find out if you’re hot-headed or as cool as a cucumber.

Neil Shah, founder of the Stress Management Society, will be revealing his top ten tips on how to turn distress into de-stress and asking you to share your own tried and tested techniques.

Emma Dicks, a trained yoga and reiki master will be teaching some simple breathing and stretching techniques that you can try out at home or work – guaranteed to help relax your body and mind.

Event organised by:
The Science Museum

Speakers

Angela Clow, Department of Psychology, University of Westminster
Krishna Gandhi, neurofeedback practitioner, Neurobeats
Neil Shah, Stress Management Society
Emma Dicks, Praesto Training and Development