Sniff some soil

Cheryl Rickman, positive psychology expert and author of Tree Glee: How and Why Trees Make us Feel Better (Welbeck Publishing, £16.99), explains how the bacteria found in soil – mycobacterium vaccae – activates the brain to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of happiness, calm and focus.

Trees also produce a cocktail of botanical compounds – a blend of essential oils called phytoncides and aromatic terpenes – and when we breathe them in from the woody air and absorb them via our pores, our nerves send electromagnetic signals to our brain – specifically to the hypothalamus – which literally flicks the switch to shut down our “flight or fight” stress response. “This is why my fail-safe de-stresser is to go for a woodland walk and breathe in the trees,” she says.

Eat peanut butter on toast with an apple

“In this day of high protein diets and fasting, a low intake of carbohydrates can make you feel stressed and depressed,” says Amanda Bullat, registered dietitian, nutritionist and host of the Savour Food and Body podcast.

“If you’re not eating enough, especially if you’re not eating enough carbohydrates, your body will not make serotonin, the feel-good hormones that improve your mood and lower anxiety,” she says. “If I’m feeling stressed, I will have a piece of wholemeal toast with peanut butter and an apple and feel an instant mood-boost.”

Look for beauty

“I am supporting my partner right now who is in hospital for brain surgery. It is stressful but I’m choosing each day to post on social media a photo of something beautiful,” says Vanessa King, positive psychologist and author of List Happy: 75 Lists for Happiness, Gratitude and Wellbeing. (DK, £12.99).