
Credit: Rex features
Whether it's the heap of shoes gathered around the front door, being late for the school run (again!) or the fact that that stray eyelash just won't stop pointing downwards, see which silly little things you should stop stressing about today...
There really are better things you could be doing with your time than feeling miserable, frustrated, and anxious about silly little things that really shouldn’t matter.
Whether it’s the heap of shoes that’s gathered around the front door, being late for the school run (again!) or the fact that that stray eyelash just won’t stop pointing downwards, we reckon these things are causes of stress that in the grand scheme of things aren’t too important, and you shouldn’t spend a moment longer worrying over them.
Life is stressful enough as it is without these little things getting on your nerves too. Long-term stress can be really bad for your health: not only does it make you feel rubbish emotionally, it can raise your blood pressure, increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, age you quicker and affect your fertility. So plenty of reasons for us to teach you how to stop stressing!
Make 2015 the year that you finally find out how to cope with stress and take a look through our tips to help – we reckon there’ll be a fair few you’re guilty of lurking in here, and we’d like you to take a different mind set, chill out, and stop stressing about them today please.
And for all you worry-worths out there, here’s a little quote that’s useful to remember when you’re feeling stressed:
What would you most like to stop stressing about? Be sure to let us know by leaving a comment below.

Keeping organised
Being mum is tough. You’re required to be the most organised person on the planet with the memory of an elephant, just to keep family life ticking along smoothly
But instead of stressing about whether you’ve remembered everything in 2015, give yourself a little helping hand.
Cozi is a free online family organiser app which you, your partner and older kids can download and keep track of the endless lists of appointments and things to remember. You can create to-do lists and even keep a journal – all behind a secure family login.

The housework
Remember your house is a home. And unfortunately a home comes with all the baggage of having people living in it. While you might be able to remember a time when you could display glossy magazines on the coffee table, all your cushions were perfectly plumped and, and you could walk around barefoot without the risk of being carried away by a toy car, unfortunately those days are gone, but surely waving goodbye to them is worth the family you’ve gained?
Your house will never look like a show home, but there are some ways in which you can minimise the stress of a messy house. Set off one room or area that is off limits to kids. It might be your bedroom, where you can escape the mess and relax (and where coasters and toy-free carpets are in abundance).

Your appearance
Feeling unhappy with how you look is horrible. But in all your self-loathing, don’t neglect the things you do like about yourself. When you’re feeling low, write down the things you do like about yourself, and ask your partner and kids what they like about you too. They might surprise you!
You might not always have time to cover up those dark circles before the school run but what about wearing the jeans you know you look good in, or a slick of lip gloss to brighten up your face? There are far more important things to worry about than what other people think of you.

The diet
Oh hello old foe. Every January the dreaded diet comes out to play, makes us feel miserable when we’re on it, then guilty when we’re off it.
Focus on being healthy and happy, rather than dieting and striving to hit an exact mark on the scales. Wholesome, homemade meals, plenty of fruit and veg and some exercise when you can sounds much more enjoyable.
And anyway, us mums work so hard all year round that if we want to eat the occasional packet of crisps, a hearty slice of Victoria sponge and kick back with a glass of wine (or two), we’re going to. So there.
We’ve revealed the secrets to a long, healthy life, here.

Not accomplishing anything for a while
You’re sitting there thinking it’s been ages since you tried a new recipe, did your fitness DVD, read that book you had your eye on or got down to some garden, and we have to say, we’re hardly surprised!
Getting through each and every day can be seen as an achievement in itself. With getting food on the table, running errands, entertaining the kids, keeping hubby happy, finding time to do things for yourself can be pretty tricky.
Don’t feel as though you’ve not accomplished anything for a while, you’ve been growing a family and that is accomplishment enough in itself. There’ll be plenty of time for all of that when your kids are a little older.

Running late
Wouldn’t life be a little more enjoyable without time constraints? OK, so we realise that’s never going to happen, but stressing, panicking and weaving through traffic like a maniac to get somewhere on time isn’t actually going to get you there any faster.
Chances are, you’re not the only person running late, and chances are you won’t be the last either. So relax a little. Try and pin point what exactly it is that always makes you late. Is it snoozing your alarm that last time, or could you get more organised the evening before to leave less to do in the mornings?

Not spending enough time as a couple
The good thing is, if you’re anxious about how much time you spend with your man it shows that you care. Sometimes, though, it’s just not possible to spend as much time with your other half as you’d like to.
Talk to him, tell him you’re worried you don’t spend enough time together and let him know that you care. He’ll have nothing but reassuring words for you and maybe some suggestions of where you could squeeze in some more time together.
You might not be able to find extra time, but you could make the time you do have more special. Cuddle lots, hold hands, and enjoy each other’s company.
Read our little tips for bringing back the intimacy.

Sleep
Sleep. It really is so important. And while you’re stressing over not getting enough of the stuff, in turn being tired makes you more stressed.
Lay off yourself a little. Relax and read before bed rather than staying up late watching the TV, which acts as a brain stimulant. And whatever you do don’t lie in bed watching the clock and stressing about not being able to fall asleep, this will only make you feel more and more awake.
Try some of our sleep advice instead, like these 10 things you didn’t know were stopping you sleeping and these Things to try in the middle of the night.

Not having your phone
Come on ladies, it wasn’t that long ago that we all went everywhere, every day, without a mobile phone and we all managed completely OK without them.
The panic that sets in when you see that battery icon hit 10% and downwards, or even worse, you leave it at home… is somewhat irrational.
What is actually going to happen while you are phoneless for a few hours?
It’s a good idea to keep a note of a few important numbers in your handbag, should your phone cut off access to your life which is stored away inside it.

Friends
We all need friends, but at times trying to keep them happy, spend enough time with them, or say the right things to them can be a real guessing game.
Remember that while you might not be able to choose your family, you can choose your friends. And any friend who spends more time stressing you out than making you happy isn’t worth your time.
Something that we’ve learnt over the years is that a true friend is one who you can pick up with, after weeks, months, years, even, and it feels as though you saw them only yesterday.

Not sticking to your New Year’s resolutions
Well if you haven’t given up on yours already, well done! If you have, is it really the end of the world? Or that much different to every year?
New Year’s resolutions are all about intending to do something for the better that year. It could simply be to have a better year than last year. (Personally, we like this one as it means no giving up of anything we like and no stepping on any treadmills…).
Where to next?
- Resolution swapper: resolutions you can actually stick to!
- 19 diet-deserting excuses – familiar, anyone?!
- Join the goodtoknow Diet Club – there are absolutely NO banned foods