Stress can be an overwhelming feeling. It can hinder your ability to be productive and make it difficult to focus on anything but the negatives. Especially right now, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and with all the uncertainty that it has brought us, you may find yourself feeling stressed and having trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

However, it is important not to let stress and negativity consume you. While it may not feel like it, eventually these stressful times will pass. Keeping a positive mindset can help make these dark times a little brighter, as well as help us continue to work productively through them.

Here are some tips that can help you stay positive throughout stressful times such as these.

Take good care of yourself

During times of stress, it can be difficult to remember to take care of yourself. However, neglecting your own well-being will only make you feel worse. Instead, you should challenge yourself to take care of your physical health, as well as your mental health, throughout periods of stress. You will find that when you feel good, you perform much more efficiently.

Here are some things you can do to take care of your physical and mental health:

● Take an online fitness class
● Try yoga
● Meditate to relieve stress
● Drink plenty of water
● Go for a walk or bike ride
● Cook a healthy meal instead of ordering take out
● Write your thoughts in a journal
● Pamper yourself (take a bath, use a face mask, etc.)
● Get plenty of sleep each night

Do something good for someone else

It feels good to help others, and just about everyone could use some cheering up at the moment. There are all kinds of ways that you can give back to the world. Whether it’s by donating your money, supplies, skills or time, you can help spread positivity to others during these times of stress.

Here are some ways that you can spread positivity to others:

● Offer to help a family member with a chore
● Cook a meal for someone
● Donate to a charity
● Volunteer your time at a place such as a school, senior center, animal shelter, etc.

Have positive social interactions

During times of stress, we may feel as though we don’t have time to be social. However, having a chat with a friend or family member can be great for stress-relief, and it can leave you in a much better mood than before.

At the moment, you may be feeling deprived of social interaction due to the pandemic and social distancing. However, there are still ways that you can maintain connections with loved ones and get your fill of positive social interactions.

Here are some ways you can continue to socialize:

● Stay connected with family and friends through social media
● Keep groups of friends in touch with an ongoing group message
● Schedule a Facetime call to catch up with someone you haven’t seen in a while

Practice being thankful

Lastly, it is always important to practice gratitude, especially during times of stress. In these times, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by negativity. That is why it is important to take the time to look at the positives and appreciate the things that are going right.

Every day, make a list of all the things you are grateful for. You can write these down or simply create the list in your head. Remember to include the big things as well as the little things that you are happy to have in your life. Doing this on a daily basis will help to relieve stress and help you maintain a positive mindset throughout these difficult times.

Stay positive, eventually this will pass
Stressful times are a part of life, and it is normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at times. While positive thinking may not solve everything, it does help make these hard times a bit easier to manage. When you find yourself feeling overly stressed, try to take care of yourself, focus on the good things, and spread whatever positivity you can to others. Remember that eventually,
this time will pass.