Reality-checking your anxieties by gauging on a scale of 1-10 how life threatening they really are

Remembering that research suggests approximately 85% of everything that you worry about never actually happens

Reminding yourself stress usually accompanies growth and is part of any change of direction or new challenge

Telling yourself you’re not a failure because you didn’t make it, you’re a success because you tried

Checking whether the stress is authentically your own or if you’ve picked it up from someone around you

Learning relaxation, breathing techniques and positive visualisation

Realising that other people are afraid too

Finding a spiritual practice or belief system that puts you in touch with the bigger picture

Demanding perfectionism from yourself and others

Refusing to let go of situations you can’t do anything about

Neglecting to plan important events in advance or allowing yourself enough time to get to where you need to be

Putting off unpleasant tasks

Having an inflexible attitude towards change

Believing negative events are bound to repeat themselves

Feeling you can’t say ‘No’

Denying yourself sufficient exercise, relaxation or time to recharge your batteries in pleasant, tranquil surroundings