It’s safe to say the combination of stress, global uncertainty, economic upheaval and the emotional cost of everyday living can take their toll on our mental and physical health and wellbeing. However, dialling down our anger response, disarming stress and remaining calm in the tensest of situations is achievable. Through a combination of lifestyle changes, supplements and know-how, you can find your inner chill and check your anger before it hits boiling point.

Here’s a few tips to get you started…

THE THREE MS - Move, make and meet are key to changing your response to tense situations. To immediately de-stress, start moving – go for a quick walk or do some stretches. Make something creative or plot your next DIY project. And meet – having a meaningful interaction with another person will help boost your mood instantly. From a best friend to your favourite local barista, even a brief connection can help impact your mindset.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE - To achieve inner calm, try a gratitude-boosting meditation technique in which you ask yourself three reflecting questions: what have I received from X, what have I given to Y and what troubles and difficulty have I caused? University of California researchers have found that taking time to contemplate what you’re grateful for reduces the stress hormone cortisol by 23 per cent.

INCREASE YOUR JUICE - Researchers at the University of Alabama1 discovered regular doses of vitamin C act as a pacifier to the body’s fight-or- flight hormone-secreting response.* The antioxidant properties help the body control cortisol levels, which triggers stress Consider increasing your intake of vitamin C to ward off stress mode.

SWITCH OFF - While smartphones have solved many problems, they’ve helped contribute to an always-on culture, which only adds anxiety to those already feeling overwhelmed. Use distraction blocking software or settings to silence social media notifications so you can get clear time to focus on family, work or the things that matter.

HERBAL HELPERS - If you regularly suffer from stress or anticipate a stressful period on the horizon, it’s a good idea to be prepared and keeping some helpful products handy. One Nutrition Ashwagandha may help you stay balanced when taken daily, having a cumulative and greater longer-term effect. A small evergreen shrub grown in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa, Ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda, and has been used for over 3000 years.

One Nutrition Ashwagandha contains vegan KSM-66®, the highest concentration full spectrum ashwagandha on the market. With 600mg of KSM-66® ashwagandha root per two capsules, and the added benefits of magnesium and zinc*. It’s no wonder it won the Rude Health Platinum Award for Best Mental Health/ Wellbeing Product in 2022.

Irish Botanica Peace and Calm is fast acting, with a temporary effect. It is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of symptoms of mild stress and to aid sleep, exclusively based on long-standing use. To find out more about either product, visit your local health store or pharmacy.

1 American Chemical Society. "Scientists Say Vitamin C May Alleviate The Body's Response To Stress."