Getting Started

When life feels chaotic or overwhelming, it can be easy to get stuck in a cycle of stress and worry. But there are things you can do to cope with worry and find some calm. Here are some tips.

• Acknowledge your feelings.

  It's good for you to have and show a range of emotions. This can help you to have a better outlook on life and cope with change. Grief, anger, and sadness are normal, healthy feelings in situations like loss or when you've been treated badly. It might help to write down what's going on and how you're feeling. Think about where in your body you notice your feelings, for example in your stomach, head, back, or hands.

• Pay attention to your mindset.

  The way you think about things really does affect the way you feel. If you tell yourself that something is too hard or too stressful, it's going to feel that way. But if you tell yourself you can handle something hard, you're more likely to be able to.

• Focus more on what you can control and less on what you can't.

  Here are some ideas:

  • Make a list of the things that cause you stress. Then decide which things on the list you can take action on and which ones you can't. This can remind you to accept what's in your control and what isn't.
  • Look for sources of stress that you can limit. Then take steps to limit them. That might mean limiting how much you use your phone, watch the news, go onto social media, or even having less contact with certain people.
  • Choose to spend time on things that are meaningful to you. For example, you could do fun projects with your kids, write postcards to friends, or do random acts of kindness for your neighbours. Do things that make you feel good or bring you joy.
  • Find ways to keep your mind off of your worries and fears. It could be a project, a hobby, or even making an effort to call a friend on the phone once a week. Whatever you decide, choose things that are in line with your values.
• Be careful about coping strategies that might make things worse.

  Keeping yourself busy might take your mind off your stress. But it can also exhaust you or even add stress. A glass of wine or a beer in the evening may help some people relax. But too much drinking isn't a great way to deal with stress. It can actually make stress and anxiety worse. If you find that stress and anxiety are making it hard to manage daily life, talk to a doctor or healthcare provider.