Life can be demanding, with seemingly endless chaos and change.
Some stress factors seem minor, and others are more challenging. But over time, all these things can add up and become overwhelming.
So, how do you maintain a healthy mindset despite stress and anxiety?
It might surprise you how a few simple changes can help you stay positive and motivated.
Let’s dive in.
What To Know About Stress And Anxiety
Stress and anxiety have a wide variety of causes, and every individual is different.
Each person has different physical and psychological circumstances that factor into their stress responses. These individual responses often manifest as anxiety symptoms.
Here are the most important things to know.
Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety
While some symptoms of stress and anxiety are the same for many people, yours may be different. It’s always important to talk to a doctor about any symptoms that concern you.
Physical symptoms of stress and anxiety may include:
- Restlessness
- Tension
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Digestive Discomfort
- Increased Heart Rate
- Rapid Breathing
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Fatigue
- Fidgeting
Psychological symptoms of stress and anxiety may include:
- Nervousness
- Excessive Worry
- Avoidance of Certain Activities or Places
- Feelings of Doom or Hopelessness
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Depression
Causes of Stress and Anxiety
The causes of stress and anxiety vary from person to person because everyone reacts differently to situations.
You may not even realize that something is causing these symptoms.
Some of the most common causes of stress and anxiety include:
- Medical Conditions
- Family History
- Experiencing Trauma
- A Buildup of Life’s Demands
- Family Relations
- Major Life Changes
- Mental Health Concerns
- Loss
- Abuse
- Uncertainty
How To Maintain A Healthy Mindset
Though it isn’t always easy, maintaining a healthy mindset can help manage stress and anxiety symptoms.
It’s also possible that you just need some tips for how to stay positive when life gets you down, and that’s okay too. We all could use some help knowing how to care for our mental health.
So, what can you do to keep a positive mindset?
Check out these tips.
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Start a Gratitude Practice
When you think of gratitude, the Thanksgiving holiday might come to mind. It’s a time of year many of us decide to consider what we’re thankful for in our lives.
However, practicing daily gratitude can have life-altering effects.
Research shows that making gratitude an everyday habit can actually improve mental health symptoms like depression.
What is a gratitude practice, exactly?
There are different ways of practicing gratitude depending on what works for you as an individual. Your habits, personality, and preferences are all factors to consider in deciding what works best for you.
What’s most important is that you take time each day to:
- Notice good things (both big and small) and appreciate them
- Acknowledge the positive role others play in your life
- Appreciate what you do have, not dwell on what you don’t
- Cultivate a mindset of abundance
- Focus on opportunities, not setbacks
Some ways you can practice gratitude daily include:
- Start a gratitude journal
- Make a daily list
- Commit to sharing with a friend
- Gratitude meditation
- Write notes and letters to others
- Use visual reminders
Whatever you choose to do, practicing gratitude can change your outlook over time.
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Keep Up a Healthy Lifestyle
Our mental health connects deeply to how we care for ourselves physically.
When you neglect your physical health, your mental health may suffer. But sometimes, it’s harder to take care of your body when you aren’t feeling up to it due to depression and anxiety.
It will be difficult at times, but the benefits of starting a healthy lifestyle routine are undeniable. Once you have your routine, it’ll help you maintain a healthier mindset and provide stress relief.
Some of the best ways to take care of your physical health include:
- Proper nutrition
- Consistent exercise
- Sufficient, quality sleep
- Avoiding recreational drugs
- Limiting alcohol
- Medical checkups and care
- Personal hygiene
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Set Goals
Setting goals is a straightforward way to cultivate a healthy mindset.
When you set personal goals, you restructure your daily perspective and can achieve more productivity.
Whether or not you achieve the specifics of a goal isn’t as crucial. Just having that goal in mind and creating an action plan transforms you from feeling stuck to perceived forward motion.
The best part?
You can always restructure your goals when things change in your life or when you discover something new you’d like to pursue.
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Find Balance
Life can become busy with the demands of a career, parenting, community commitments, or other obligations that take up so much of your time.
But how often do you set aside time just for yourself?
It’s essential to find a balance and draw boundaries between your obligations and the time you take to recharge.
You might try:
- Setting an exact time to stop working each day
- Asking your partner or a childcare provider to take over while you exercise or relax
- Or even planning a much-needed vacation
No matter what you choose to do, be sure to pay attention to how much energy you spend on your obligations versus the time you take for yourself.
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Live In The Present
Sometimes it’s easy to become wrapped up in the past or future.
Our regrets, shame, guilt from failure, or things we wish we’d done differently consume our thoughts. Other times, we worry about the uncertainties of the future.
It’s important to remember what is within your control at this very moment and focus on that.
Connect with friends and family with whom you have meaningful bonds, and nurture those relationships.
Take the time to notice what’s around you in nature, breathe, and relax.
Practice living in the moment to cultivate a more healthy mindset.
What If Changes And Choices Don’t Work?
Have you made positive lifestyle changes and cultivated a healthy mindset but can’t seem to shake feelings of depression or anxiety?
In that case, you may need to seek help from a mental health professional.
There is nothing wrong with reaching out to someone who can help you improve your mood and mindset, and it will benefit you immensely to do so.
Seeking mental health support can be a life-changing decision. One that improves aspects of your life, such as motivation, personal relationships, and creativity.
Conclusion
While everyone wants to feel cheerful and content, it isn’t always easy. A healthy mindset takes some practice to cultivate and maintain — no matter your life circumstances.
It’s never too late to begin taking on an active role in maintaining a healthy mindset, so start today.
And don’t be afraid to ask for help from loved ones or professionals if you need support!
Author Bio:
Adam Marshall is a freelance writer who specializes in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with Copper Beech Bowling Green to help them with their online marketing.
