9 Ways to Not Let Things Get to You So Much — Even During Stressful Times

The first step to getting tough things not to bother you? Acknowledging that some things are just out of your control. It's easy to want to "fix" everything that goes wrong, or to feel guilty if you can't — but you shouldn't feel that way! When you acknowledge what you cannot change, you set yourself free from feeling failure if you don't make those impossible changes.

Remember when you kept a diary and it felt so cathartic to get those feelings out on the page? It's still a valuable technique for when things are starting to get to you, and it's useful for both the positive and the negative emotions you might feel. Writing out your frustrations can help to work through them, while writing about the things that bring you joy can help to counteract negativity.

If your mind can't let something go, shift focus from that obsession to your body by doing your favorite form of focused, mindful exercise. Anything that gets your body moving and your mind focused is a good thing, so work up a sweat with your favorite activity or video!

It's often harder to deal with things when you're all on your own. When the stressful or uncertain things in life start bothering you, reach out to your crew. Whether it's a venting session to get it all off your chest, some good advice, or just some distraction time, friends can make almost every problem seem less insurmountable.

If something is bothering you, do what you can to address it! That may seem like simple advice, but it's often harder than it looks — feeling like you can't even get started on tackling a problem can stop your work before it even begins. Make a game plan, be realistic, and try to chip away at a little bit. You might not be able to get rid of it altogether, but it may help your worries to know that you've done something.

It's one of the most frequently given pieces of advice for a good reason. When you're surrounded by things that are bothering or worrying you, focusing on gratitude won't make them go away, but it can help reset your mindset so that you can look at problems with a fresh perspective.

When something is really getting to you, it can feel like you've tried everything and nothing is working, which just sparks a new cycle of frustration. Try quieting your mind and just letting yourself be in the world around you. Whether that means religious prayer, some type of meditation, or just a quiet awareness, taking a quiet break is like hitting the "restart" button on your brain.

When you're stuck focusing on a problem that's bugging you, try reframing your approach. Go ahead and "let" things bother you — then find a new solution. Reframing is a technique that therapists use for a variety of mental health approaches, and it's just as valuable here!

More than anything else, when worry is knocking on your door, the best thing you can do is embrace what makes you happy. It might not make the worries go away, but it will help you combat the negative self-talk, the frustration, and the stress. When you're surrounded by things that bring joy into your heart, it's a lot easier to let the bad things roll off you.