IT is safe to say we all experience stress on a regular basis.

For actor and author Luke Harding, he says the reason for this is we all take life too seriously.

His debut self-help book, 50 Things We All Take Too Seriously, is a light-hearted way saying ‘Let it go’.

Luke, 26, who was born and grew up in Stanway, is hoping the book gives others an insight into how to control stress.

He said: “My main career path is in acting, and part of that is understanding mind, body and spirit.

“I went beyond that and as a hobby I just started researching. Through learning about myself I came up with this one idea that a lot of life can be taken too seriously, and it’s unnecessary stress.

“I started writing down everything I had taken seriously, I’m still doing shows on stage and it can be stressful.

“You have to have the right mentality.”

So, what do we take took seriously in life?

A lot of Luke’s advice is centred around how to change the thoughts in our heads.

He said: “If people are used to putting themselves down I guide the readers through to realise how powerless that thought is.

“It may seem silly but one of the things is to-do lists. If we don’t get round to doing things we try to stretch ourselves, but you should be proud of what you did manage to achieve - don’t focus on what you didn’t.

“The weather is also one, especially in England. How can we learn to appreciate the rain and not let it ruin our day?”

It took a year for Luke to write the book, which was then picked up by publisher Austin Macauley.

The former Stanway School student, said: “I would class it as a self-help book, but not in the usual fashion.

“I tried to make it light hearted and fun, laughing at aspects of life you probably wouldn’t.

“A lot of it comes from research I did before the book.

“It comes from prominent figures in the spiritual world, philosophers and a lot of my own teachers from acting school.

“All the statistics come from accurate research.”

He said the main purpose of the book was to share his findings with others.

The actor, who is currently rehearsing for a stage show in London, added: “I have never really been about fame or money, despite the fact I’m an actor.

“I wanted to share what I had discovered with other people and that was the reason for it.

“When I look back a year ago I was much less productive and less happy.

“People might say you need to take life seriously or you won’t get anywhere, but in my experience that’s not the case as you aren’t in that right frame of mind.”

He has already started writing the next book, called 50 Things We Could All Be More Grateful For, saying it is easy to take things for granted.

To order a copy of the book visit www.austinmacauley.com/book/50-things-we-all-take-too-seriously.

The book is also available from the Waterstone’s website.