Heath Spotlight: Staying calm during troubling times INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Whether it’s personal struggles or the weight of what’s happening in the world around you, stress can take a real toll on mental health. Learning how to manage that stress — before it manages you — is well withi n reach, says clinical psychologist Dr. Danielle Henderson of IU Health. Henderson sat down with Daybreak to share practical coping strategies anyone can start using today. Change the Way You Look at It When stress takes hold, the mind tends to lock onto the problem — and staying stuck there only makes things feel bigger. “When we’re stressed, we’re focused on the problem or being overwhelmed by the problem,” Henderson said. “Sometimes, trying to take a pause, slow things down and think about what’s a different way that I can try to look at this can be really helpful and powerful.” Shifting perspective doesn’t mean ignoring what’s wrong. It means giving yourself the mental space to see the situation from a new angle. Be Mindful of What You Consume Henderson made the case for cutting back on news and social media consumption. “Being careful about how much we’re on social media, the amount of time we’re spending, the types of sites we’re going to, the information that’s being fed to us — it can be very easy to have a whole afternoon, whole evening gone just scrolling the news,” she said. She recommends paying attention not just to how long you’re scrolling, but to what kinds of content you’re taking in and how it makes you feel. Notice the Small Things Stress has a way of narrowing your focus — and when that happens, the small joys of everyday life can slip by unnoticed. “When we’re stressed, we may not be aware of the small beauties going on in life still,” Henderson said. She recalled a recent walk where she noticed rose bushes she had never seen before. “They were so beautiful,” she said. “The beauty of the sun, little things like that — sometimes we just don’t focus on them because we’re so overwhelmed.” Making a conscious effort to look for those moments, even something as simple as flowers blooming after a rainy day, can help ground you in the present. Look Back to Move Forward Hard times are not new. And chances are, you’ve gotten through difficult seasons before. Henderson encourages people to reflect on past struggles and ask themselves: What helped? What strategies did I use? Who was in my corner? “Think about what were some of the strategies I was using, who were people who were part of my support team that maybe I can make sure I lean into now,” she said. “Reach out and say, ‘Hey, I’m going through some things. Can we support each other?’” Do Nothing — Then Do Something It may sound simple, but one of Henderson’s most direct pieces of advice is to stop and rest before taking action. “When we’re stressed, we can get into that phase of being busy, busy, busy — going, going,” she said. “Sometimes just taking a break, giving our mind and body some time to reset, can help that next step come to mind. And then we take it from there.” The pause, she says, is not wasted time. It’s what makes the next move a better one. Find the Positivity — Even When It’s Small When everything feels heavy, Henderson says being intentional about finding moments of positivity can make a real difference. “Just trying to be intentional about finding some small rays of positivity can really keep us going,” she said. That might mean scheduling time for something that brings you joy — a hobby, a walk, time with a friend — and treating it as a non-negotiable part of your week. For more information on mental health resources through IU Health, visit iuhealth.org. ...read more read less