The relationship between our comfort level talking about our stress and our belief that those around us are going through the same stress as we are has been fascinating and motivating to observe as a therapist recently. To put it another way, when we believe that everyone is experiencing something similar, we feel comfortable talking about it. 

Although there has been significant progress in our society in reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, I would argue that it has not yet become the norm.

However, it appears that since COVID-19, communities are uniting and sharing their thoughts, anxieties, and experiences with one another as well as with strangers. When COVID-19 was at its worst, "Coping" dominated the news, and self-care and preventative health became top priorities. It was truly very lovely to watch!  

I wonder how different the world would be if we were always able to talk about our concerns and plans with one another in order to feel a little safer and more confident that we are heading in the correct direction.  

Here are the top 5 things you can do to manage your stress, in addition to maintaining a good outlook, avoiding your primal fear brain, and continuing to express your sentiments and support one another. 

1. Engaging in exercise

Physical activity is the best remedy for surplus mental energy. Using your body to balance out all of the input received in the brain is your surefire path to mental health success, whether it\'s running to clear your mind, dancing in your living room with your family, working on your computer while doing a wall sit, or having a push-up competition with your partner! 

Wait, do you mean to claim that the mind and the body are interconnected? I am, I am, I am.  Additionally, please make exercise enjoyable; if not, you won\'t do it. Think beyond the box and let yourself have fun! Immediately climb something.

2. Nutrition

Spend some time improving your diet and making whatever lifestyle adjustments you\'ve been putting off because of "being too busy." Alcoholism or fear of eating won\'t be made easier by your stress level.  Take care of yourself. Going back to the fundamentals of how the mind and body are interconnected, taking care of your brain and body has a significant impact on the thoughts and emotions that you experience. 

3. Technical

Benefit from technology. We mental health professionals frequently urge people to limit their screen time and avoid gadget blue light, but occasionally I believe that having the world at our fingertips is advantageous. We simply need to utilize it properly.

Create rituals around brain-challenging games and mindfulness applications to use technology to your mental health\'s advantage. A short search of the App Store will do, or you may check out the applications that the Anxiety & Depression Association of America suggests. There are so many relaxation apps available to help you unwind and fall asleep or take a guided meditation break. 

Following a brief resource list, I\'ll consider available spravato treatment. And despite receiving treatment for a very long time

Obviously, this cannot take the place of psychotherapy, but fear not—telehealth has all of your needs for online counseling addressed. Perhaps this is the moment you\'ve been waiting for. In addition to using apps to decompress, you may energize your mind by studying a foreign language online or playing challenging brain games on your phone or laptop.

4. Be Innovative

Be imaginative. Your mind and body are just waiting for an outlet for all those worries and thoughts that have been suppressed there.  Now that nothing is stopping you, it\'s time to discover your inner creativity! Now is the moment to do all of these creative projects we\'ve put off, whether you\'ve always dreamed of painting and traditional artistry, or wish to create, organize, or design.  

Take an online art or dance lesson, remodel the kitchen, let the kids reorganize their bedroom (two birds with the exercise), or just let your creative juices flow without any inhibitions! Start your book or write in a stream of consciousness while the timer is set.  

Additionally, you do not need to develop alone. One of my favorite activities is to play a song, and then everyone in the room can choose how to interpret it. You could all sing along, or you could all dance, or you could all write, or you could all sculpt, or you could all draw, but the point is that you\'re all participating in being individually creative while simultaneously being with one another.  

5. Social Assistance

Calling your mother is something you know is not broken. Yes, even after all these years, making a regular phone call is still fashionable. Now, don\'t worry if Mom isn\'t here anymore or if she\'s the one who started all this trouble in the first place; that\'s what friends are for. Having social support is essential when under stress.  Additionally, how about boosting it with face-to-face communication to return to our earlier theme of "making technology your friend"? Or use social smartphone games like Words With Friends or Draw Something to counteract isolation. 

Spend some time calling your long-lost friends and family members to have a video conversation rather than venting your problems on Facebook.  Your improved mood will surprise you. According to the proverb, "Shared joy is doubled joy, shared sorrow is half sorrow." In other words, by discussing your troubles, you\'ll reduce them in half.

Try to be of help even if you don\'t feel like you NEED to call someone (first of all, swallow your pride and be proactive). If you put someone else\'s needs above your own and are able to be there for them, you\'ll feel less stressed.