Things to try

When you're going through a challenging situation, it may also stressful for your family and other close relationships. So keep the lines of communication open, and ask for the support you need. At the same time, encourage your loved ones who are helping out to take time for themselves when their help extends over a longer period of time—it can be easy to burn out, and you’ll want to know they get the relief they need. There may be a range of support options available through your employer, a therapist, state or federal government, or community groups that can help lighten the load and extend your support system.

Visualization can have a powerful impact on your wellness or psyche. If you're in a funk or not feeling particularly inspired, try taking moment to think back on the last time you felt truly joyful. What sparked it? Is it a person, a place, a situation? Is there something you can do for yourself today that will maybe inspire that same emotion? Investing in your own personal joy is always worth it.

Feeling connected to others can help life feel more balanced and, according to studies, even impact how our bodies feel. Spend time with friends and family to help take some of the focus away from work, reduce the impact of stressors—or even physical pain—and develop strong connections you can lean on for support.

Write about how you’re feeling—not only what makes you happy, but also what triggers stress or pain. Experiencing a range of emotions helps regulate stress response, which can mean a healthier immune system. Journaling can also help you take action—you can identify things you want to do more or less of, identify situations you want to change or get help with, and figure out ways to deal with stress in the moment if you know what situations to look out for. While it is tempting to just use your computer, it can be more beneficial to go back to the old pen and paper. The good news is, you only need to journal a few times a week, for 10-20 minutes to get benefit.

Sticking to a daily routine that includes self care can help things feel more stable and prevent against depression. Aim to eat and sleep at regular times, and make time for walks or exercise. Mental health is important too, so make time for seeing others and consider practicing meditation or deep breathing.

If you're going through a challenging time, think about who you feel comfortable with, and what interactions might feel supportive so you can tell people what you need—whether it's talking about how you’re feeling so you can release some pent-up emotions, or finding comfort by time together with no words exchanged.

It might be that talking about what you're going through is the last thing you feel like doing. Or, it might be that you don't feel like talking to your loved ones about it. Ironically, this is usually a sign that getting something off your chest may be essential to healing. Consider asking a therapist or someone you trust to be a sounding board for you. You only need to start with one person.

Pets can provide comfort, companionship, and more often than not, a laugh, when you need it most. Science also backs up the benefits of having a pet on your mental health. Spend some time playing with your pet and enjoying each other company. If you don’t have a pet but love animals, consider volunteering at a shelter or visiting a neighbor or a friend with a pet.