1. Shake that adrenaline out

When it comes to combating stress, nothing beats moving your body.

Kic’s Physio, Ash Ormond, can back this up. Your first thought might be to zen out with a calming meditation – but Ash recommends releasing some adrenaline before you try something mindful. When you think about it, this approach makes perfect sense – easing into yoga or meditation when your mind is buzzing is just not it.

Instead, Ash suggests channelling that energy first through movement. This could mean blasting a favourite pump-up song and shaking it off (Cue T.Swift), running on the spot for 60 seconds, or even doing a full-body shake. Once some of that excess energy is burned off, transitioning into mindfulness through a calming flow or grounding meditation becomes much easier.

We’ve been loving our HIIT with Laura classes as a way to break the stress. Classes start as short as 5 mins and are filled with Laura’s reminders that you CAN do this. Release those endorphins and clear the mind.

HIIT not your thing? Try a guided run with Laura instead. Our new guided run, ‘Need this run’ is a 30 min interval run to let go of the pressure, the stress, overwhelm or anxiety. Melt away the negative vibes with every step.

2. Process the feels

You’ve let off some steam, let the bad vibes go. But, now how do you keep the mind clear?

Slowing down and focusing on the moment with some guided activity, can help you reconnect with your body, your mind, the present and help you forget about all the bullsh*t from the day to day. We get it.

Here are a few mindfulness techniques you can try to help own your clarity:

• Meditation: Meditation isn’t about ‘not thinking at all’, rather it’s about acknowledging that the thought is there, and letting it go.
• Deep Breathing: Our ‘4 part breath’ meditation is one of Steph’s fave mindfulness practices. Close your eyes and spend 5 minutes grounding yourself. Perfect to help clear your mind before or after any tough conversations.
• Journaling: Find a quiet space, close your eyes for a moment, and reflect on your day. Write down your thoughts and emotions, focusing on each part of your experience one at a time, just like a mental flow through your day.

Mindfulness is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice. The good news? A few minutes every day can make a massive difference.

3. Find calm, your way

Stress looks different for everyone, so finding what helps you unwind is key. Outside of movement and mindfulness, you can also try these tips to find your zen:

• Get outdoors: We know that people say this as a joke, but quite literally ‘touching grass’ can make a huge difference. Fresh air and getting down to your local park can be an instant vibe shift.
• Limit screen time: We’re all guilty of this right before bed. Where you can, turn on “Do Not Disturb” and take a tech detox for an hour or two.
• Hydrate & nourish: Dehydration and forgetting to refuel your body can amplify stress. Keep a water bottle on hand and don’t forget your snacks.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Experiment with what works for you, and always offer yourself grace when stress feels heavy.