Mental healthStress reliefAnxiety disorders

9 simple strategies to stop worrying

Anxious, stressed, overwhelmed? Check out these scientifically backed ways to boost mood and worry less.


LearnMental health9 simple strategies to stop worrying
Step away from social media
Write down your worries
Be mindful
Fit in some fitness
Meditate
Get to bed earlier
Turn on the tunes
Laugh out loud
Crack open a coloring book

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Anxious, stressed, overwhelmed—maybe all three? Too much worry is an emotional load that wreaks havoc on your happiness and physical health. Check out these scientifically backed ways to combat stress and worry less.

Sources: Shannon H, Bush K, et al. Problematic So... + 24
  1. Shannon H, Bush K, et al. Problematic Social Media Use in Adolescents and Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JMIR Ment Health. 2022 Apr 14;9(4):e33450.
  2. Marino C, Gini G, et al. The associations between problematic Facebook use, psychological distress and well-being among adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2018 Jan 15;226:274-281.
  3. University of Rochester Medical Center. Journaling for Mental Health. Accessed August 19, 2022.
  4. American Psychological Association. How to help children and teens manage their stress. Last updated: July 6, 2022.
  5. Smyth JM, Johnson JA, et al. Online Positive Affect Journaling in the Improvement of Mental Distress and Well-Being in General Medical Patients With Elevated Anxiety Symptoms: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Ment Health 2018;5(4):e11290.
  6. University of Minnesota. What Is Mindfulness? Accessed August 19, 2022.
  7. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Meditation and Mindfulness: What You Need To Know. Last updated June 2022.
  8. El Morr C, Ritvo P, et al. Effectiveness of an 8-Week Web-Based Mindfulness Virtual Community Intervention for University Students on Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Ment Health. 2020 Jul 17;7(7).
  9. Mayo Clinic. Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms. September 27, 2017.
  10. Mental Health America. What are Endorphins? Accessed August 19, 2022.
  11. Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, et al. An examination of the anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and stress-related disorders: A meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2017 Mar;249:102-108.
  12. Henriksson M, Wall A, et al. Effects of exercise on symptoms of anxiety in primary care patients: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders. Volume 297, 15 January 2022, Pages 26-34.
  13. Gordon BR, McDowell CP, et al. Resistance exercise training for anxiety and worry symptoms among young adults: a randomized controlled trial. Scientific Reports. October 16, 2020; 10, Article number: 17548 (2020).
  14. Meredith GR, Rakow DA, et al. Minimum Time Dose in Nature to Positively Impact the Mental Health of College-Aged Students, and How to Measure It: A Scoping Review. Frontiers in Psychology. 14 January 2020.
  15. Mayo Clinic. Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress. April 29, 2022.
  16. Kirlik N, Cohen ZP, et al. Self-regulation of the posterior cingulate cortex with real-time fMRI neurofeedback augmented mindfulness training in healthy adolescents: A nonrandomized feasibility study. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience. Volume 22, pages849–867 (2022)
  17. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Sleep disorders. Updated October 19, 2
  18. Sleep Foundation. How to Reset Your Sleep Routine. Updated August 11, 2022.
  19. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Music and Health. April 2022.
  20. Jespersen KV, Koenig J, et al. Music for insomnia in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Aug 13;2015(8):CD010459.
  21. Mayo Clinic. Stress relief from laughter? It's no joke. July 29, 2021.
  22. Northwestern Medicine. Healing Through Humor. Accessed August 19, 2022.
  23. Cleveland Clinic. 3 Reasons Adult Coloring Can Actually Relax Your Brain. May 27, 2020.
  24. Koo M, Chen HP, Yeh YC. Coloring Activities for Anxiety Reduction and Mood Improvement in Taiwanese Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Jan 21;2020:6964737.
  25. Rajendran N, Mitra TP, Shahrestani S, Coggins A. Randomized Controlled Trial of Adult Therapeutic Coloring for the Management of Significant Anxiety in the Emergency Department. Acad Emerg Med. 2020 Feb;27(2):92-99.
Written by Ana Lopez.
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Ana Lopez.
Updated onAugust, 2026
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