How the Harry Styles Aperture video can help with your wellbeing

After almost four years without new music, pop icon Harry Styles is back with the music video for his new single Aperture.

Harry has also announced that his new album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, will be released on 6 March, and if that wasn't enough, Styles will be embarking on a HUGE world tour with a record breaking twelve dates in Wembley Stadium! He's going to have a very busy 2026 indeed!

But let's focus on the music video for Aperture. The video is set in a dark and moody hotel and Harry doesn't seem too cheerful being there. With that in mind, what can we take from this video to improve our wellbeing? Let's check-in to Hotel Harry and see if we have some tips to help out.

How to reduce stress

The video starts with Styles trying to make a phone call, but the person he is calling doesn't answer and Harry looks overwhelmed before he flops down onto his bed. Harry looks like he is experiencing a stressful situation.

In Series 2 of our World of Wellbeing Podcast we found out that stress is something that many people experience at some point in their lives. So Harry isn't alone in going through this feeling, and neither are you.

The NHS says that stress can cause many symptoms, which may affect how you feel physically or mentally. These can include things like headaches, stomach problems, difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness. However, there are some things you can do to help reduce stress, including getting a good night's sleep, staying hydrated, and looking after your nutrition. But, if you need an instant stress reliever, then Dr T from our World of Wellbeing Podcast has a breathing technique that could help.

• Take a big breath in through your nose.
• Give yourself a quick top-up breath through your nose.
• Then a long exhale through your mouth.

Get some sleep

The video to Aperture looks to be set during the middle of the night, and Harry certainly looks very tired as he walks through the corridors of the hotel whilst being followed by a mysterious man.

Making sure you’re getting enough hours and good quality sleep can really help us in so many ways, from focusing at school to being more resilient to difficult days and managing our emotions. The NHS recommends that teenagers need 8-10 hours and over 18s 8-9 hours sleep (are you listening Harry?!).

To get a good night’s sleep, try:

• Going to bed and wake up at the same time every single day.
• Having a bath, listening to relaxing music or doing some breathing exercises.

In our World of Wellbeing Podcast, Dr Radha told us that journaling can be another really good way to try and get rid of any stresses or worries before you go to sleep.

Exercise can benefit your mood

Things between Harry and his stalker turn violent, and a fight breaks out in the hotel. But the violence soon turns to dancing – Harry is quite the mover! Even though the look on Harry's face says otherwise, we're sure he's going to benefit from dancing, as exercise can boost our mood.

Exercise is about having fun and being active, and some fun activities you could try include riding a bike, gardening, jumping on a trampoline, hula hooping, climbing, skateboarding and roller sports, swimming, going for a brisk walk, and dancing of course! Exercising with a friend, or in a group can increase the positive benefits of exercise. By making connections with people who share the same interests as you, you can develop a sense of belonging which helps improve mental health.

Get into a routine

The video ends where it began, back in the hotel bedroom with Harry almost stuck in a repetitive loop. Keeping a good routine can often help you feel more productive and a little more in control of things in life.

Our top tips for creating a good routine in your day include; having a healthy wake-up and resisting that morning social media scroll, building enjoyment into your day by finding something fun that works for you, and finally debriefing with a friend or family member before you go to bed. We've got lots of tips about routines that may work for you, so check them out.

If you need support

You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.

If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.