--- description: Whether your stressors are from work, home or larger societal issues, there are ways to keep yourself and your mindset balanced and healthy. title: 5 Ways To Stay Mentally Strong When You’re Stressed image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte04742d7cf677c08/69887baf8e06016c01464682/clouds-jumping-happiness-success-achievment-mental-health.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [motto](/tag/motto/) ## motto Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # 5 Ways To Stay Mentally Strong When You’re Stressed by [Daisy Swan Swan](/author/daisy-swan/) ## Daisy Swan Swan Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jul 25, 2016 8:11 PM CUT  Peechaya Burroughs for TIME by [Daisy Swan Swan](/author/daisy-swan/) ## Daisy Swan Swan Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jul 25, 2016 8:11 PM CUT The unpredictability of life – feedback from a boss or co-workers, the ups and downs of family relationships or just the day-to-day news – can keep us feeling unstable and shaky, especially when it seems like life is moving so fast we don’t have time to process and absorb what’s happening around us. Whether your stressors are from work, home or larger societal issues, there are ways to keep yourself and your [mindset balanced and healthy](http://motto.time.com/4279644/boost-mental-strength/ "undefined"). Here are 5 [things I remind myself of](http://motto.time.com/4279644/boost-mental-strength/ "undefined") on a regular basis in my life as a career and executive coach and meditation instructor. **1) This is temporary** As chaotic as life may seem, and as hassled and upset you may be right now, this is temporary. You will feel better, calmer, more energized, more motivated, less angry, less aggravated and happier again. **2) Sometimes things have nothing to do with me** This is another version of ‘it’s not personal,’ and it’s true. Yes, you may have made a mistake, not known the right answer to a problem or a question or someone or something may have exploded around you, but you are most likely the bystander. Put this situation in a larger context, so that you have some perspective on the situation. **3)** **Breathe** This may sound trite, but it works. When anxiety strikes, stop and [breathe deeply](http://motto.time.com/4400951/daily-meditation-life-enchancement/ "undefined"). This may be in the middle of the night, the middle of a meeting or even at the grocery store. Breathe all the way into your belly and feel it move. Put your hands on your stomach to make sure it’s actually moving as you breathe. Do this slowly and with concentration. You _will_ calm down. I promise. **4) Remember your successes** Call to mind — or better yet — write down times that you have been competent at something — when things have gone really well and you were able to overcome a tough situation. We are all resilient creatures, and sometimes we forget just how resilient we are. So practice remembering what you’ve done well. This is essential to getting through tough times. **5)** **Do something that makes you feel good in a healthy way** So you might not be able to go skiing or hop on a plane to Hawaii. But you can make the decision to go for a bike ride after work or cook a meal or knit a hat – something I’ve found to be a great stress reliever for me. _Daisy Swan is a_ [_career and executive coach_](https://goodlooks.me/pros/daisy-swan-new-york?utm%5Fsource=motto&utm%5Fmedium=article-dai-swa&utm%5Fcampaign=motto-dai-swa-profile "undefined") _and meditation instructor._ [_Connect with Daisy on GoodLooks_](https://goodlooks.me/?utm%5Fsource=motto&utm%5Fmedium=article-dai-swa&utm%5Fcampaign=motto-dai-swa-home "undefined")_, a marketplace for lifestyle experts, for one-on-one counseling or virtual coaching._ ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4421962/stay-mentally-strong-when-stressed/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4421962/stay-mentally-strong-when-stressed/"},"headline":"5 Ways To Stay Mentally Strong When You’re Stressed","datePublished":"2016-07-25T20:11:38.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T09:03:00.063Z","description":"Remind yourself this is temporary","url":"https://time.com/4421962/stay-mentally-strong-when-stressed/","keywords":["motto","Mental Health","advice"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte04742d7cf677c08/69887baf8e06016c01464682/clouds-jumping-happiness-success-achievment-mental-health.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Daisy Swan Swan","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/daisy-swan/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte04742d7cf677c08/69887baf8e06016c01464682/clouds-jumping-happiness-success-achievment-mental-health.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"clouds-jumping-Happiness-success-achievment-mental-health-motto-stock","caption":"clouds jumping Happiness success achievment mental health motto stock","creditText":"Peechaya Burroughs for TIME","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/motto/","name":"motto"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4421962/stay-mentally-strong-when-stressed/","name":"5 Ways To Stay Mentally Strong When You’re Stressed"}}]}] ```