For some people, eating is a common reaction to stress. For others, smoking and/or alcohol, are the “go-to” coping mechanisms. Healthy resolutions made in January are often on their last legs by March, which is when the Covid-19 pandemic really hit the US. If your healthy New Year’s resolutions are a distant memory, don’t wait until New Year’s 2021 to start over. It’s hard to eat better, exercise, and sleep more when under stress. However, it’s also harder to deal with problems when you don’t feel well.

The best way to cope with stress is not to distract ourselves with self-destructive habits, but to adopt habits that strengthen us both mentally and physically. When we are healthier, we are better prepared to cope with whatever concrete problems are causing our stress.