The following article was kindly written and contributed by Lewis Robinson.

With more and more people experiencing mental health issues, managing stress in a healthy way is more critical than ever.

Since many businesses and organizations are closed due to the pandemic, finding the right therapist can be difficult, and staying at home can compound stress if you're not sure how to deal with it. If you're struggling right now, here are some tips to calm anxiety from home.

1. Build a Safe Haven

If you deal with anxiety often, it can be beneficial to create safe space for yourself. This can be your bedroom, home office, the corner of the living room or a closet. If you've got time and money, why not look up "pool builders near me" to build the perfect backyard oasis? Wherever you make your haven, fill it with things that relax you. Maybe include a candle in a calming scent, a soft blanket and other sensory products that can help with anxiety. Ideally, you'll want to create an area that is quiet and comfortable so you can leave your anxieties at the door.

2. Learn Your Triggers

Whenever you feel your anxiety spike, write a quick note about your immediate circumstances. If you can, note if you've had enough sleep, or if you've consumed substances like alcohol that make anxiety disorders worse. Maybe you become stressed by spending too much time on social media, hearing certain sounds or by speaking with a certain person. Maybe a specific procedure or process at work causes you anxiety just by thinking about it. When you learn what triggers your anxiety, you can work towards avoiding those triggers or altering the situations surrounding them.

3. Exercise

Exercise does wonders for your mood, but it can also be a great distraction. You don't have to jump into a new class at the gym or buy an expensive set of dvds about kettlebells, but you can see benefits even from a quick walk around the block. Don't worry about finding or finishing the perfect workout, since the important thing is moving your body in the first place. Get creative with your home environment and turn it into your gym. For example, you can use soup cans as weight or your stairs for cardio. Different workouts still release the same endorphins!

4. Consider Therapy

If you're an introvert, the good thing about quarantine is that you don't have to see anyone face-to-face. At least, not for long. There are plenty of options for online therapy that can sometimes be less expensive than the in-person option. This is a great way to ease into therapy if you've never tried it before, especially since you can choose video calls or chat format. If you prefer text, you don't have to show up for a specific time, and can reply when you have the time. This gives you the chance to think about what you want to say rather than struggle for the right way to say something in the moment.

5. Practice Mindfulness

When it comes to managing stress and anxiety, one of the best ways to calm your mind is to practice mindfulness. Learn to take deep breaths, meditate, try yoga or some other techniques for calming a busy mind. Practicing these things may feel silly at first, but they can be helpful in moments of extreme anxiety and you can't leave a situation or reach a relaxing location any time soon. You can ask a professional for some techniques, or you can simply search online. There are plenty of free guided meditation sessions online, as well as instructional videos for mindful breathing. With some practice, these techniques will become second nature.

The world has entered an incredible age of connectivity, but the overload of information combined with being restricted largely to the home can have a negative impact on mental health. Dealing with anxiety isn't easy, but by utilizing some of these tips, you can breathe a little easier at home.