Stress triggers a fight-or-flight response, preparing us to react quickly in a crisis. Instead of helping, this fight-or-flight response leaves us with unpleasant side effects, like a pounding heart, racing thoughts, headaches, stomachaches, and tense muscles. It also amplifies negative emotions, like anger and anxiety.

You can’t switch stress off, but you can ease the physical and emotional effects by calming your body.¹ Taking just a few minutes to breathe and relax can protect your energy levels and make it easier to think straight.

In times of crisis, people are often exhausted but unable to sleep. You might be wide awake because your mind is racing and your body feels wired with tension. Maybe you can’t imagine sleeping in a bed that suddenly feels so empty. Or maybe you’re fighting sleep because it makes you feel vulnerable or you hate waking up to remember your pain all over again.

Whatever is keeping you awake, you’re not alone. But you deserve the gift of sleep, which makes it much easier to manage hard feelings, solve problems, and stay healthy.²

You might be skipping meals because you feel sick, can’t imagine being hungry again, or just don’t have the time or energy to sort out meals. But even when you aren’t hungry, your brain and body need fuel.

Life’s hardest moments can make you feel weak, shaky, or leaden. It can be hard to get out of bed, much less out the door. But if you can get yourself moving, it can help your body feel a bit closer to normal. Just 20 minutes of activity can unlock energy, boost mood, drain jittery agitation, and make it easier to sleep.³