Today Is National Stress Awareness Day — Let’s Take a Breath

Today is National Stress Awareness Day, which feels like the perfect moment to stop, breathe, and check in with ourselves. Let’s be honest — life can feel a lot sometimes. Between work, relationships, and the general noise of the world, it’s easy to end up running on empty. If you’ve been feeling tense, anxious, or just plain worn out, you’re not alone.

Stress doesn’t just live in your mind — it lives in your body, too. When we’re under pressure, our system floods with hormones like cortisol, keeping us in constant “fight or flight” mode. Over time, that can lead to tight shoulders, restless nights, and emotional ups and downs. The good news? There are simple ways to press pause and bring yourself back into balance.

Everyday Ways to Unwind

You don’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul to manage stress — just small, consistent steps that help you feel grounded. Here are a few that make a real difference:

1. Mindfulness and Breathwork

Even five minutes of slowing down and tuning into your breath can help quiet a racing mind. Mindfulness isn’t about pushing stress away — it’s about noticing it without judgment. Try closing your eyes, taking a deep breath into your belly, and letting it out slowly. It signals to your body that you’re safe, helping it shift into “rest and digest” mode.

2. Move Your Body

Exercise is a natural mood-booster. It releases endorphins — your body’s own stress relief chemicals. You don’t need to go all out at the gym; a quick walk around the block, some yoga stretches, or a dance in your kitchen all count. The key is to move in ways that feel good.

3. Protect Your Sleep

When stress messes with your sleep, everything feels harder. Creating a simple bedtime routine can really help: dim the lights, put your phone away, and try to go to bed around the same time each night. A rested brain copes better with whatever life throws at you.

The NADA Protocol: Calm Through Connection

Alongside everyday habits, some people find extra support through the NADA Protocol — a gentle form of ear acupuncture that helps calm the nervous system and restore balance.

During a session, five tiny, sterile needles are placed at specific points on the outer ear. It’s a technique that’s been around since the 1970s and is now used all over the world to support stress relief, trauma recovery, and addiction treatment.

Here’s what people often notice:

• Deep relaxation: It helps your body move out of “fight or flight” and into a calmer, more peaceful state.

• Emotional release: NADA can ease feelings of irritability, anxiety, and overwhelm.

• Support for recovery: It’s also used alongside other treatments for addiction and cravings.

Sessions last about 45 minutes, and you’ll stay fully clothed, sitting comfortably in a calm space. It’s a quiet, restorative moment to just be — no expectations, no pressure.

Take the First Step

Managing stress is a practice — it’s about showing up for yourself a little bit each day. Whether that means five minutes of mindful breathing or trying a NADA session, what matters most is taking that first step towards balance.

In-person NADA sessions take place in a peaceful, welcoming space just off Brick Lane, close to Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street stations.

If you’re curious to learn more or would like to book a session, you can reach out here: