How can we stress less?

As an event professional, I’ve seen it on faces more times than I can count, the stress. The tight timelines, endless checklists, the pressure to deliver perfection. And it’s not just a mental load; it moves into the body too. Tension in the shoulders, headaches, sleepless nights. We’re becoming disjointed from our own selves, our minds racing while our bodies are screaming for a pause.

In events, there’s this unspoken honour badge for working long hours, being the last one onsite. It’s almost celebrated. But here’s the hard truth: your health is your wealth. That’s the investment that pays back in every part of your life, more than any deadline ever will. I get it, bills need paying, deadlines need hitting. Trust me, I’ve been there.

But if you don’t prioritise yourself, your body will eventually make that choice for you. Stress will show up in other ways, forcing you to slow down, or stop entirely.

So what can we control? How do we prevent that “overflow” before it’s too late?

Think of your stress like a bucket. Every task, worry, or pressure adds water to it. If we don’t let some out, eventually it spills over. That’s where overwhelm, burnout, and fatigue come in. But the good news? We can put holes in the bucket, small, intentional outlets that let the water escape before it floods everything.

Here are my top four “stress holes” you can create, no matter how full your week feels:

1. Be More Human

Acknowledge that you’re not a machine. Say no when you need to, take a break when your body signals it, and allow yourself the grace to not be perfect. Even five minutes of real, undistracted breathing or stretching can remind you you’re human first, professional second.

2. Be Calm

Find your pause. Whether it’s meditation, mindful walking, or simply sipping a cup of tea without scrolling your phone, these are moments where your nervous system can reset. Calm is contagious; it makes everything around you flow a little smoother too.

3. Be Connected

Stress isolates us. Make space for real connection, with your team, friends, or yourself. Share a laugh, a story, or just sit in presence. It reminds your brain you’re supported, and stress doesn’t have to live in solitude.

4. Just Be

Stop doing. Just exist. It sounds simple, but in a world that values output, it’s revolutionary. Sit with a sunrise, feel your breath, notice your body. This isn’t wasted time, it’s refilling your bucket, not letting it overflow.

The truth is, no one else can take care of your health for you. Your career, your events, your life, they all demand your energy. But the more intentional you are about releasing stress, the more energy you actually have to show up fully, for yourself and for others.

So today, take a moment to create your holes in the stress bucket. Be human, be calm, be connected, just be. Your body will thank you, your mind will thank you, and yes……your work will too.

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