Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query. I would like to give you the following suggestions to manage your stress: - Don t take too much which you can t handle. Take one step at a time. Postpone any major decisions. - When you feel overwhelmed by the stress, tell yourself that this is just a passing phase and that you just have to stay afloat , till this bad phase passes away. - Practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing, listening to relaxing music, etc. can help relieve stress. - Ensure that you get 7 - 8 hours of continuous sleep everyday. When you’re sleeping too little or too much, your mood suffers. So, get on a better sleep schedule by learning proper sleep habits. - Follow a healthy lifestyle - with adequate physical exercise and a nutritious and balanced diet. This not only keeps your body healthy, but also helps your mind. - Avoid alcohol, smoking or any other substances as they all have been associated with many psychiatric disorders, including depression. - Avoid negative thinking and guilt feelings. Remember, your thoughts determine your emotions and behaviour. If your thoughts are constantly negative, it can pull you down and worsen your stress. - Develop a strong social and spiritual support system. Have friends / relatives who you can trust and talk to regularly, keep up with social and religious activities frequently. - Keep your mind always active and engaged - spending time with nature, doing tasks which you enjoy, etc will all help in avoiding stress. Wish you all the best. Regards, Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar Consultant Psychiatrist