Feeling Overwhelmed? 5 Tips to Help You Manage Stress and Anxiety

The World Health Organization recently reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a 25% increase in rates of anxiety and depression worldwide. Many people were already dealing with stress and anxiety before the pandemic, and this uncertain situation has only made it worse.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Are you feeling anxious, and are you struggling to cope with these feelings? It can be hard to know what to do to stop feeling overwhelmed, but the good news is there is help!

Are you looking for coping strategies to help you feel less overwhelmed? Keep reading to discover 5 ways you can cope with stress and manage anxiety.

1. Start a Gratitude Habit

This tip may not feel obvious at first, and you may be thinking, “I’m already grateful. But I’m still stressed!” That’s completely valid. However, taking the time to focus on what you’re grateful for can re-train your brain to focus more on the positives and less on the negatives.

Writing down three things you’re grateful for every day can actually help control feelings of stress and anxiety. You could write down general things you appreciate or three good moments from the day. Research has shown that practicing gratitude can improve mental and physical health, and it can be as simple as setting aside five minutes a day.

2. Practice Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness and meditation can also help you feel less overwhelmed and stressed. There are a variety of free resources out there with mindfulness content for beginners.

Mindfulness can be a way to center yourself and pay attention to the stress that accumulates in your body. Often your body is trying to tell you something, and taking the time to listen to it and let yourself feel the stress and let it go can make a big difference.

3. Take a Happiness Course

There are multiple online courses to be found that teach you how to change your mindset and cope with anxiety and stress. One example is the Awakened Grace online women’s program.

This course is intended to teach you how to be at peace and have a secure relationship with yourself. It is 10 weeks long, and its goal is to produce long-term results that leave you feeling happier and less anxious.

4. Take Time to Rest

Our society is constantly trying to encourage us to hustle more and work harder, but one reason you may be feeling overwhelmed and stressed is that you are simply over-working yourself. You might be thinking that you don’t have time to relax or take a break, but this mentality is likely only increasing your stress levels.

The truth is that even if you have a lot to do, setting aside a dedicated time to intentionally rest and practice self-care can have significant benefits. This doesn’t have to be a facial and bubble bath; it can be as easy as taking a walk every day or setting aside 20 minutes to read a for-fun book.

5. Be Kind To Yourself

It can be easy to feel frustrated with yourself when you are experiencing stress and anxiety. You might be wishing you could just “get it together” and just get everything done while staying calm. Unfortunately, anxiety doesn’t go away that easily, and trying to lecture yourself into feeling better isn’t ever going to work.

How you talk to yourself matters, and being kind and patient with yourself can alleviate some of your anxiety. Try reminding yourself that you are doing the best you can in a hard situation and that even if you can’t control your feelings, you can control how you respond to them.

Still Feeling Overwhelmed?

If you have tried several coping strategies and are still feeling overwhelmed to a point that is affecting your daily life, you may also consider visiting a therapist. Most people can benefit from speaking with someone about their mental health, and this is nothing to be ashamed of.

If you are concerned about your anxiety and stress levels, consider contacting a local mental health professional.

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