Team GB Olympian Eilish McColgan shares advice on managing stress

Brits have never felt more stressed, according to new national research released today1.

More than half of the nation (51%) admit their biggest stresses are due to personal finance struggles and the cost-of-living crisis, with 48% feeling more stressed in 2023 than they did last year.

To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK’s number one aluminium free deodorant brand, Bionsen, commissioned the survey to dive into the UK’s biggest stresses and the nation’s techniques to help de-stress.

A staggering 61% of the UK admit to worrying about the little things in life, with over half of the nation (54%) admitting they struggle to de-stress and relax during their daily routine.

Alongside financial struggles, careers (44%) and health (33%), were also voted as elements that Brits’ stress about the most.

According to the research, exercise is a great tool to help relieve stress, with nearly a third (32%) of the UK revealing they work out to help unwind and relax, with watching TV coming out on top (57%).

Sweat was voted a common symptom of stress, with 31% of participants admitting they sweat significantly more when they’re feeling stressed.

In fact, 85% of the nation said sweating can increase their stress levels, despite its proven health benefits.

Sweating is a natural process which regulates your body temperature, helping to hydrate and cleanse skin and wash away impurities.

And for many Brits the real concern over sweating is body odour, with three-quarters (75%) of the public admitting they would rather sweat than smell.

Deodorants are a useful tool to help combat body odour, as they attack the bacteria in underarms, allowing you to claim all the health benefits of sweating while smelling fresh all day long.

Bionsen has partnered up with renowned psychologist, Emma Kenny, on the brand’s ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff’ campaign to help provide top tips and advice on managing stress levels.

Psychologist and TV presenter, Emma Kenny said: “It is understandable right now that so many of us are struggling with stress. The last few years have been challenging and the current cost of living crisis has added to this. These factors that have sadly been beyond our control, have made life feel more uncertain than ever and added to many people’s fears and anxieties.

“Fortunately, there are lots of simple strategies that we can all implement that can quickly and effectively put stress in its place. Having a self-care schedule can be hugely helpful, as it ensures that you take time to focus on your own needs. This can include activities such as a daily meditation stream or a hot bath with aromatherapy before bed.

“Another clinically proven stress buster involves getting out in nature so that you connect with the wider world. Breathing in fresh air and marvelling at the plants and trees that we so often take for granted can refresh and reinvigorate you whilst soothing your stress away.

“I would also advise to focus on breathing techniques, as these can help to transform the most challenging of moments, quickly returning a sense of calm, even during a period of chaos. While to some degree, stress is an unavoidable reality in all of our lives, it doesn’t need to be an emotion that controls you or destroys your happiness.”

On managing her personal stress, Eilish McColgan, Team GB Olympian and Bionsen brand ambassador, said: “As a professional athlete, I can often feel overwhelmed and stressed by the pressures of competing. Between the pressure to perform, long training schedules and the risk of injury, stress can really impact my mental health.

“While you can’t control the stresses around you, you can control how you react to them. For me, working out is a huge stress reliever. It’s something I can control and put my mind to, washing away those day-to-day worries, so it’s great to see that nearly a third of Brits agree with me!

“It may not seem it, but sweating is also great for stress relief, as it cools your body down, calming your mind and relieving the tension in your body. It also aids muscle recovery and strengthens your cardiovascular system, making it vital for athletes and those who use exercise to help with their overall mental wellbeing – it’s good to sweat! Using a deodorant, like Bionsen’s aluminium free range, allows you to sweat freely without the odour – so you smell good, stress free.”

Bionsen’s full range of deodorants are not only aluminium free, but also don’t contain any parabens, silicones or colourants. The products are cruelty free, dermatologically tested and are hypoallergenic, making them suitable for all skin types.

To find out more information on how to manage stress and improve overall mental wellbeing, please visit Emma Kenny’s website here: https://www.ekenny.co.uk/

Bionsen’s full deodorant range is available from £2.69 at a variety of retailers including Boots, Amazon and Bionsen’s website: https://bionsen.uk/

BRITS’ TOP FIVE STRESSES

Cost-of-living crisis/personal finance struggles (51%)
Career/working life (44%)
Health (33%)
Family life (33%)
Relationships (27%)
BRITS’ TOP FIVE METHODS TO DE-STRESS

Watching TV (57%)
Enjoying the outdoors (47%)
Enjoying me time (43%)
Spending time with family (33%)
Working out/exercising (32%)