Everyone gets stressed on a day-to-day basis. We typically can’t stop worrying about problems that we should have already put behind us. Things that were already past concerns build up and can soon become overwhelming. If you do not make an effort to overcome stress, it will quickly take over your life. Try these three tips that make a big difference in your stress level and teach you to handle your issues so you can better get on with your day.

Tip # 1: Focus on the here and now. Take a moment to simply let all your previous concerns go and think only about the present moment. Take three slow, deep breaths, and you will quickly start to relax. Tell yourself that you will be able to address your problems individually in time and their presence in your mind will start to fade. Take this further and find a place in yourself where you can be at peace. Stay there until you calm down and your problems start to feel more manageable. Do this whenever you need to relax.

Tip # 2- In addition to finding your own quiet place, it can also be comforting to think of certain actions you do on a regular basis that help put you at ease. You can rock your baby, rake leaves, or take a walk. This offers another opportunity to take a moment for yourself, and provides you with an escape route from the pressures of every day life. Step away as soon as you start to feel like the stress is coming too much and, like before, focus completely on what you are doing without letting other thoughts break into this peace.

Tip # 3- The most important thing you can do for your mental health is also the most important thing you can do for your physical health. Simply eat well and take care of your body. Eat and drink what your body needs, being careful around things like sugar, salt, and alcohol. Exercise gets you in shape and helps you relax. Make sure you are getting a full night’s sleep every time you can, because exhaustion will only make you feel worse. Breathe properly and don’t be afraid to laugh even when you feel on the edge. When it comes to defeating stress, focus on your soul as much as you do your body.

Find balance in your life and your stress will quickly start to fade. When you reduce tension towards issues that are already present, you will be more able to deal with the new ones that arise. Take the things that cause you stress and solve them on a one-by-one basis. Always be sure to have hope and know you can overcome your problems.