Managing Stress and Mental Health: Top Tips from Dr. Aida Lau

One of the most common concerns patients discuss with me is stress, which often leads to mental health challenges that impact their relationships, studies, or work. To help, I’d like to share my top tips for managing stress effectively—advice that has benefited many of my patients.

It’s important to understand that stress, in itself, is not inherently bad. It can motivate us to complete tasks and perform better. However, excessive stress can have harmful effects. Managing stress well allows us to stay at our optimal performance level without tipping into overwhelm. Here are my top 3 tips:

1. Write Down What’s Bothering You

Get a pen and paper or diary. Take the time to write down everything that’s causing you stress. Categorize these concerns into two groups:

• Within your control

• Outside your control

Acknowledge the things that are beyond your control and FOCUS on what you can influence. For issues within your control, break them down into SMALL, manageable steps and prioritize them. Create a clear and achievable plan to tackle these steps one by one.

2. Talk to Trusted Friends or Family

Sharing your feelings with people you trust can be incredibly relieving. Often, after talking things through, you’ll realize you’re not alone in facing challenges. Others might offer helpful advice or simply provide emotional support. The act of opening up itself can significantly reduce stress.

3. Take Care of Yourself

Maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle is key. This includes:

• Eating nutritious meals

• Exercising regularly

• Getting enough sleep

• Switch off from news and social medias temporarily

We often overlook self-care, remaining in a constant "fight or flight" mode as we tackle problems. However, prioritizing our well-being enables us to manage stress more effectively and boosts productivity. Taking the time to invest in yourself is one of the most valuable steps you can take toward achieving your goals. Personally, I find it much easier to focus and take care of myself by temporarily disconnecting from social media and news. Deleting these apps from my phone during periods when I need to concentrate on important tasks has been particularly helpful.

These are simple yet powerful steps you can take to better manage stress in your daily life. However, if stress becomes overwhelming and starts interfering with your work, studies, or exams, don’t hesitate to seek medical support by reaching out to your NHS GP or me. I will be able to help by listening, providing you with some coaching, medication if needed, or a sick note or medical note to your university or workplace.

Let’s work together to ensure your mental and physical health remain strong as you navigate life’s challenges.