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Life is full of ups and downs. Seasons of calm and predictability sooner or later give way to times of change and discomfort. Sometimes these are simply busy yet blessed periods filled with promotions at work, weddings, or babies — other times the stress can come from less desirable events like financial strain or unexpected medical emergencies.

Whatever the cause, times like these can often be difficult on one’s health, especially when it comes to mental health. Anxiety and depression are both bedfellows that love to accompany periods of busyness and stress.

The next time you find yourself struggling through a season of life that’s more hectic than usual, consider these tips to help keep your mind sharp, your thoughts positive, and your mental state as healthy as possible.

Scrutinize Your Sleep

Often one of the first things to go out the window during challenging or busy times is a good night’s sleep. It’s easy to excuse the need to give yourself rest in order to tend to other’s needs. The truth is, though, you need to take care of your own sleep as well if you don’t want your mind to suffer.

That’s not to say that you need to cast aside your responsibilities in order to get a tight 10 or 12 hours a day. As with all things in life, moderation is key here. While a luxurious sleep schedule is likely out of the question, there are plenty of things you can do to make sure you’re not sabotaging the sleep that you are getting.

For instance, if you’re eating at all hours of the evening and night, you’re probably hurting the quality of your sleep. Napping at random times of the day can also throw off your nightly sleep routine, as can exercising right before bed or spending time on your phone before (or even after) you turn out the lights.

If you’re feeling your mind slip into chaos and you think a lack of good sleep may be a factor, take some time to size up your sleep habits and see if you can improve on them. Set up a sleep schedule, don’t snack late a night, and even try using some lavender essential oils in a diffuser.

Engage in Exercise

While exercising right before bed may be a bad idea, exercise, in general, is a great way to keep your stress in check. There are many different ways you can incorporate exercise into your routine. You can:

• Start going for long walks.
• Go for a run each morning.
• Take up yoga.
• Squeeze a seven-minute workout into your routine.

However you choose to go about it, incorporating exercise into your daily schedule can be a great way to release endorphins, which can help to bring a balance to your body and mind.

Ponder Positively

It may sound cliche, but never underestimate the power of positive thinking. This doesn’t just mean looking for the good things around you — although that’s a good place to start. It also means striving to regularly practice things like generosity, appreciation, and gratitude.

Here are a few ways you can start to shift towards a more positive mindset:

• Spend time meditating at the beginning of each day.
• Check your own thoughts and see if you need to forgive anyone — bitterness is a cancer of the mind.
• Take time to deliberately count your blessings on a regular basis.
• Spend time with those who calm you down, not those who rile you up.
• Allow yourself to feel things — emotions are okay to explore, as long as we don’t let them dictate our actions.

Turn to Tech

When you feel overwhelmed by your surroundings, it can be hard to focus. Fortunately, the world is overflowing with technological aids that can serve as support during times of chaos. If you feel you can’t handle all of your responsibilities, consider tapping into some tech support such as:

• Downloading an administrative app or two to help you with scheduling, making lists, and generally keeping track of everything.
• Utilizing a health app to make sure you’re getting enough exercise.
• Taking advantage of event-specific things like a wedding app to help take some of the weight off of your shoulders.

Whatever the situation, turning to technology can be an easy way to reduce your workload and help you find the time to function like a normal person again.

Govern Your Gadgets

While technology can be a boon in times of chaos, it’s also important to make sure that you control your tech and not the other way around. In fact, if you’re not careful, your gadgets can actually become a source of your stress.

Make sure that you’re not obsessively checking social media, responding to work at all hours of the day and night, or spending time on your phone right before you go to bed. If you take control of your gadgets you’ll find it’s much easier to keep your mind at peace throughout the day.

Always Be on Guard

Life is filled with ups and downs, and you can be sure that difficult seasons will roll around sooner or later. While the stresses and strains are a normal part of everyday life, it’s critically important that you strive to remain aware of your mental state throughout the chaos.

If you find the stress is bearing negative fruit within your thoughts and mental processes, make sure to take steps to address it. Review your sleep and exercise habits, pump the brakes on your tech time, and focus in on the positives that are always present in each and every situation.

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