The American Psychological Association (APA) offers the following evidence-based advice to help people manage their stress:
1. Give yourself permission to take a break from the news, social media or even certain friends. Constantly exposing ourselves to negative information, images and rhetoric maintains our stress at unhealthy levels.
2. Practice the rule of “three good things” and ask friends and family to do the same. The rule states that at the end of each day, reflect on three good things that happened — large or small. This helps decrease anxiety, counter depression and build emotional resiliency.
3. Practice self-care in 15- or 30-minute increments throughout the day. This can include taking a short walk, calling a friend or watching a funny show. Parents should encourage or help their children to do the same.
4. Stay connected with friends and family. This helps build emotional resiliency so you can support one another.
5. Keep things in perspective. Try to reframe your thinking to reduce negative interpretations of day-to-day experiences and events.
For more ways to manage stress, talk to your health care provider, or visit www.apa.org/topics/stress/
