Quick summary: Mental health and stress expert Ray Sadoun has outlined five practical strategies for reducing stress and improving sleep quality during Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 11th–17th May 2026. The strategies, which include talking openly about stress, planning ahead, exercising regularly, practising self-reflection, and setting realistic goals, are aimed at helping people manage the pressures of modern life. Research consistently links high stress to disrupted sleep, making these approaches relevant not only to individual well-being but also to broader public health efforts to address anxiety and poor rest.
Mental Health Awareness Week, running from 11th–17th May 2026, has prompted a mental health and stress expert to share practical strategies for managing stress and improving sleep.
Ray Sadoun, who has over 15 years of clinical experience, has given advice on how to relieve stress and anxiety as part of a collaboration with Comfybedss, a UK-based provider of beds and mattresses. He says one of the main causes of poor or delayed sleep is a mind working overtime, replaying concerns from the day.
Talking about stress
Ray says one effective way to relieve stress is simply to talk about it. “When you open up about your stress, it becomes easier to handle it as you put less pressure on yourself to pretend you have got everything together,” he says. “You may also find that your loved ones open up about their stress too and you can help each other through it.”
He acknowledges that many people opt to bottle up their worries, which only worsens the problem. He recommends confiding in people you trust and feel comfortable with.
Planning the week ahead
Planning ahead can also reduce stress by keeping important deadlines and events in view. Ray advises his clients to plan their week on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday to allow adequate preparation time.
Many clients have reported feeling less stressed since adopting this habit, as they are no longer caught off guard by what each day brings. For those with busy professional and social schedules, he says advance planning is essential to avoid stress building up.
Regular exercise
Ray describes regular exercise as a classic but effective tool. Physical activity releases endorphins, which can make it easier to feel energised and more settled. He adds that there is no need to exhaust yourself, noting that a regular walk, bike ride, or swim is sufficient to offset stress that accumulates in other areas of life.
Self-reflection
He also recommends carving out time each day to sit still and notice how you are feeling, both physically and mentally. Too often, he says, people turn to social media, music, or conversation to avoid their feelings.
Sitting with thoughts, he argues, helps people understand which of their needs are not being met. While the process can feel uncomfortable at first as negative emotions arise, it becomes easier with practice.
Realistic goals
Finally, Ray highlights the importance of setting realistic goals. He says stress often arises from measuring oneself against targets that are either unachievable or outside one’s control. Once people identify which parts of their lives they can and cannot control, they can set goals that are challenging but attainable.
“Whether that be running a marathon or getting a promotion, seek advice from people whose advice you trust and you should not go too far wrong,” he says.
Research consistently links high stress to disrupted sleep, with many adults reporting that daily worries keep them awake at night. Mental Health Awareness Week encourages practical steps and open conversations to support good mental health.