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Now that we’re halfway through the fall semester and several holidays loom in the weeks ahead, it’s more important than ever that we all think about how we can deal with the emotional stresses that can trigger mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.. It is especially important that we can recognize and manage these so we can be at our best in the classroom with our students and at home with family and friends.

Here are some mental health strategies that can help you cope when you feel anxious or depressed:

1. Take some time for yourself. Take a yoga class, listen to your favorite music, schedule a massage, or practice relaxation techniques.

2. Stay healthy by eating well-balanced meals, keeping healthy, energy-rich nearby, and adding more fruits and vegetables to your daily intake.

3. Exercise a little (or a lot) each day to release dopamine and serotonin which can improve your mood and boosts brain health.

4. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Stress causes your body to need more rest. Beat it by getting as much sleep and rest as possible. Listen to your body!

5. Learn to take deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Count to 10 or 20 while practicing your breathing. Repeat if necessary!

6. Don’t try to control everything. Let some things go, especially the stuff that isn't under your control.

7. Laugh. Watch a favorite comic, like Leanne Morgan. She’s a real hoot! A healthy dose of laughter can definitely be a strong medicine for stress.

8. Work on keeping a positive attitude. Research indicates that positive thinking can increase your lifespan and provide greater resistance to illness.

9. Notice and identify the situations that trigger anxiety and depression. Listen to yourself. Instead of suppressing your feelings and emotions, experience them and better understand how to keep them in check.

10. Call a friend. Or, talk to a professional. Let it out! You’ll feel relieved and lightened. It may also help you find a way to work through anxiety and depression.

Having a plan with a few simple strategies can help us get through feelings and situations that challenge us the most. By increasing healthy coping skills, we pave the way to being our best self everyday regardless of what’s in our path!