So today we're going to talk about stress. I've seen a few posts lately, including my own a month or so ago, saying how stressed everyone is and I can completely understand. Up until recently I was incredibly stressed about uni and deadlines and quite frankly just everything was getting to be too much. It truly happens to the best of us, the main thing though, is to make sure stress doesn't get the best of you!

The first thing to do is to take a deep breath and really assess the situation. We're only human and for most of us panic is a default setting and little things can be completely blown out of proportion. If it's just one thing on one day getting you down count yourself lucky and go to bed with a smile knowing when you wake up tomorrow it's a completely different day and you've got everything to play for.

Students especially can have a really tough time with uni and financial pressure and it's important to know you are not alone in how you feel! If the stressy situation has been going on for more than one day, or has the potential to, try not to work yourself up. This sounds easier said than done but honestly, allow yourself to breathe. For example if you have uni coursework you're struggling with and don't think you'll meet the deadline - that's okay. It is possible to email your lecturer/tutor and say that you've been struggling - people do it all the time. Is this a guarantee they'll give you more time? No. But isn't it worth an ask?

You could also reach out to friends and fellow course mates and ask how they are getting on and if they could help you with the problem. I am always tagging my course mates on Facebook asking for advice and last year I even created a Facebook group for one of our modules so we could all share revision tips, ideas and ask each other for advice and it went down brilliantly. Loads of older/former students happily tutor for a small fee and if you're really having difficulty grasping the concept of something I'd say it's definitely worth the money.

If you're stressed about your living situation Kerys wrote a brilliant guest post for me on how to combat flat tension! Or if it's a case of work loads of companies gladly open their doors to extra staff around this time of year!

organise try not to leave it 'til the last minute
share talk to someone about your feelings
relax take some time to just chill
sleep get enough of it

Stress can have a huge effect on our lives and can effect us both mentally and physically and what I'm trying to get at is that you are not alone in your problems - there is almost always a solution. And remember guys stressed is desserts backwards, so if all else fails... eat cake!