Stress. We all experience it from time to time.

Whether it’s from pressures at home, at work or at school, stress is a part of life. While not all stress is bad, too much leaves us feeling overwhelmed and out of control.

It not only affects our mental wellbeing, but it can also lead to other health issues like obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and more. We all respond to stress differently, but keeping these healthy habits in mind can help you relieve the pressure when you’re feeling stressed.

Get enough rest.

Getting a restful night’s sleep can do wonders for your mental health. But there’s harm in getting too little or too much sleep.

Getting insufficient sleep or oversleeping can negatively affect your mood, energy and ability to concentrate. Most adults need at least eight hours of sleep at night.

Keep a regular sleeping schedule and get a healthy amount of rest each night to keep your mental health in check.

Make time to relax.

Find something to help you relax when you’re feeling stressed.

Read a book. Take a walk. Listen to your favorite music.

Or try learning a relaxation technique, like a deep breathing exercise or guided meditation.

Get some exercise.

Studies show that exercise and physical activity releases endorphins (the body’s natural “feel good” hormones) that make us feel happier and boosts our mood. Take a few minutes every day to be active. Exercising also improves your overall fitness and helps you release pent-up energy.

Connect with others. Sometimes it can be hard to talk about how you feel, but sharing your feelings with someone you trust — like a friend, family member or counselor — could help you release tension, find a solution to a problem or look at a stressful situation from a different perspective.

Find support.

Support is available if you’re finding it hard to deal with stress. A professional counselor can provide support and work with you to help you identify stressors in your life and teach you management techniques so that you are better able to cope with the stress.

At Willowbrooke Psychiatric Center, Dr. Khaja works with patients age 18 and older, offering psychiatric evaluations, psychotherapy, medication management and interventional treatments for mental health and addiction issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and trauma-related conditions and more. For an appointment, call 770-812-3530.