It’s been a little while since I’ve shared a blog post here and I’m so happy to be back. As part of relaunching Woman on a Mission, I’m revisiting some of my most-loved posts ~ refreshed, re-edited and more relevant than ever. With International Stress Awareness Week in mind, I thought it was the perfect time to check in on how full your stress bucket might be and share some practical ways to manage it. Over the last few weeks on my Instagram, I’ve been sharing the importance of removing things from your plate before piling on new commitments, whether that’s a new project, extra responsibilities, or even just the stress of the approaching festive season.
So, let’s talk about how to gently rebalance and refill your self-love bucket, even when life feels overwhelming.
Why Stress Buckets Overflow
Right now, many of us are juggling home, work, children and the uncertainty that life can throw at us. That “constant juggling” can leave both adults and children feeling drained, especially with disrupted routines and less social contact. All of this piles into our stress buckets, not just for us but for our children too. The trick is knowing how to pause, rebalance and refill your self-care reserves before they overflow.
I love an analogy I heard years ago: being stuck in front of a screen all day is like attending back-to-back meetings with 30 people each. You’re expected to remember everything, act on it, and perhaps even be tested on it — all while moving straight into the next “meeting.” No wonder our stress buckets overflow!
The good news? We can refill our self-love bucket, even in the middle of chaos, by paying attention to our lifestyle choices and carving out little pauses.
Nutrition And Lifestyle: Fuel Your Brain and Body
Your diet and lifestyle choices directly impact your energy, focus, and resilience. Comfort foods and alcohol might feel like instant relief, but they can leave you feeling sluggish and foggy.
Here are my friendly, practical tips to help keep that stress under control:
1. Think Before You Sip
Caffeine might give a quick boost, but it’s a short-lived lift. Energy drinks, coffee, even lots of tea can leave you crashing later.
2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Your brain loves water. Herbal teas count too! Staying hydrated helps you concentrate, boosts mental alertness and keeps your body running smoothly.
3. Eat Like Your Brain Depends On It
Because it does! Easy snack options or takeaways are tempting, but proper meals give you steady energy, better focus and keep you feeling less sluggish. You’ll find lots of delicious recipes here on the Blog
4. Sleep is Non-Negotiable
Yes, staying up for “just one more episode” is tempting. But your brain will thank you for a solid 7–8 hours. Better memory, better focus, better mood!
5. Move Your Body
Even 20 minutes of fresh air and exercise can lift your mood, clear your head and sharpen your focus. Taking small daily steps and suddenly you’ll feel far more productive and energised.
6. Keep Track of Your Habits
I’ve created a little Consistency Tracker that’s brilliant for checking in with yourself. Are you drinking enough water? Sleeping well? Exercising? Tracking habits for just four weeks can reveal tiny changes with a big impact.
And above all, be kind to yourself. You’re doing better than you think.
“I’m presently experiencing life at a rate of several WTF’s per hour!”
Unknown
I saw this quote and it made me laugh out loud.. Don’t underestimate the power of a good laugh, even in stressful times.
Tracking Your Stress
I’ve created a Consistency Tracker to help you check in with yourself. Track small habits for four weeks including your sleep, water intake, movement and mental load and notice the ripple effect. Even minor adjustments can reduce stress and improve focus.
It’s so easy to get into the habit of going to bed that little bit later or waking up in the middle of the night worrying. Maybe you’ve dropped your water intake, switching for coffee.. Every little alteration has a little knock on effect.. Try tracking your habits for four weeks and see what happens.
Remember: be kind to yourself. Progress is not perfection.
Small Daily Actions Make a Big Difference
- Declutter one drawer or corner of your home.
- Clear out digital clutter — delete old emails, organise files, or unfollow accounts that drain you.
- Take a 5–10 minute pause mid-day to breathe and reset.
Each small action helps empty the “stress bucket” and refill the “self-love bucket.”
Your Next Step
If you’d like more tips on reducing stress, simplifying your home and creating space to breathe, subscribe to Woman on a Mission or follow along on Instagram for weekly inspiration.
Feeling inspired to take charge of your stress and refill your self-love bucket? Try out the tips in this blog, track your habits with my Consistency Tracker and let me know how you’re getting on in the comments below.
I think the being kind to yourself is absolutely vital. I always try to avoid putting myself under unnecessary stress. We can only do the best we can, and that’s always good enough. Great blog xx
Thank you Karen for your kind words. We can indeed only do the best we can. We are in strange times when everyone is going through similar stresses, which is most unusual. I hope you are well. Take good care x x
Such a great blog Claire, as of tonight I’m going to bed earlier. I like to read but I was going to bed late then reading for ages ! I’ve known its not good for me but I still did it anyway. My quality of sleep has been poor. Thank you for highlighting That’s step one for me. Thank you ! Xxx
Thank you Helen, so kind of you to take the time to comment. I found over December and Christmas, I was going to bed later and later and yet still waking early.. It wasn’t good for me, I feel much more awake and productive! So easy for the habits to slip back isn’t it? Do let me know how you get on x x