Stressful periods are something everyone goes through in life. This could be caused by work pressure, family worries, health scares, financial concerns, or even everything all at once. When you’re going through times like this it can feel both overwhelming and exhausting and difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You can find yourself thinking constant negative thoughts and as though it will always be this way. Getting through a stressful time in your life isn’t about getting everything fixed all in one go. Instead, it’s about finding small, manageable ways to support yourself, protect your energy and keep going until things get better. 

Acknowledge you’re struggling 

One of the most important steps is simply admitting that you’re having a hard time. Many people try to push through stress by ignoring it or telling themselves they should be coping better. This often makes things worse. Stress doesn’t mean you’re weak or failing — it means you’re human and responding to pressure.

Allow yourself to acknowledge how you’re feeling without judgment. Saying “this is hard right now” can be surprisingly powerful. It creates space for self-compassion and makes it easier to seek help or adjust expectations.

Focus on things to distract you

When stress is constant, your brain rarely gets a chance to rest. Healthy distractions can offer temporary relief and help interrupt anxious thought patterns. Simple activities like watching a familiar TV show, listening to music, doing a puzzle, or playing low-pressure games can provide a sense of calm and control. Distraction isn’t avoidance, it’s a way of giving your nervous system a break so you can cope better overall. Games such as freecell are a great distraction for you and can help you clear your mind. 

Control what you can

During stressful periods, it can feel like everything is spiralling beyond your control. While you may not be able to change the situation immediately, you can often control how you respond to it. Focus on small, practical things you can manage each day, such as keeping a basic routine, prioritising sleep, or completing one achievable task. Breaking life down into short timeframes such as today or even the next hour, can make things feel more manageable and reduce the mental load.

Reduce pressure on yourself wherever you can

When stress is high, it’s important to lower the bar where you can. This might mean saying no to extra commitments, postponing non-essential tasks, or accepting that things don’t need to be perfect right now. Survival mode is still a form of progress. If possible, communicate honestly with those around you. Letting work colleagues, friends, or family know that you’re going through a tough period can help manage expectations and reduce guilt.

Try calming exercises

Mindfulness is one of the most important things that can help you when everything feels too much. You should do activities such as writing down in a journal how you are feeling and if you are having any negative thoughts. You can do yoga, or pilates, or other activities that are designed to help boost your wellbeing. You could also try something like meditation, where you can learn to just switch off your thoughts and tune into how you are feeling, learning to control these thoughts and the troubles you’re facing.

Take care of your physical and mental health 

Stress often shows up physically, this could be tension, headaches, fatigue, digestive issues, or poor sleep are all common. While it’s not always possible to maintain ideal habits during a tough period, small acts of care can make a real difference. Try to:

• Eat regular meals, even if they’re simple
  
• Drink enough water
  
• Get some fresh air each day
  
• Move your body gently, such as walking or stretching

These basics help regulate your nervous system and can make emotional stress feel more manageable. Even if you aren’t someone that likes the gym, just heading down there for half an hour a couple of times a week can make a difference. Running on the treadmill or lifting weights can give you something completely different to focus on and get your adrenaline pumping. This can really help you to just switch off for a while and boost the way you feel.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Stress can be incredibly isolating, especially if you feel like you don’t want to burden anyone else. But sharing what you’re going through often reduces its intensity. You don’t need to have solutions, sometimes just talking things through can bring relief. Reach out to someone you trust, whether that’s a friend, family member, or colleague. They will be there for you to just offload to, not to offer advice if you don’t want it, but to be a shoulder for you to cry on and just help you through it. If your stress feels unmanageable or prolonged, professional support such as a GP, therapist, or counsellor can be invaluable.

Remember this phase will pass

When you’re in the middle of a stressful period, it can feel endless. But circumstances shift, feelings evolve, and support appears in unexpected ways. Reminding yourself that this is a chapter, not the whole story, can offer hope during difficult moments. Think about difficult times you’ve had in the past and that they are more of a distant memory now. These will also be the same and one day you’ll look back and it won’t be so painful.

These are just a few things you can do that can help you to get through stressful periods of your life. While it is extremely hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, you need to try and focus on the positives and you will get through it. Share your thoughts with a loved one, don’t keep it bottled up and do what you can to distract yourself in a healthy way. What are some top tips you have for helping yourself get through a tough time, or helping a loved one? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.