Emotion: anxiety
Problem: academic pressure
Situation: Having a lot going on in life and school and feeling very stressed.

user: Hello

assistant: Hello, how are you doing?

user: I have been better. I am really stressed and feel like I am at a breaking point.

assistant: I am sorry to hear you are near your breaking point, do you have any idea when the decline and stress began?

user: It began a few weeks ago. I have had a really intense project that is on a time crunch. I feel like I am overwhelmed and unable to balance work and personal life.

assistant: Work and personal life are very hard to juggle with each other, especially in the current life situations around the globe. I am sure you will successfully handle both in the overall.

user: What should I do to help feel like I can manage and push through? Right no w i feel like giving up.

assistant: For me, when I start getting overwhelmed and need to "debrief" my mind, and "declutter" the stresses, I use a notepad. I jot down every detail I can that pops into mind. Every upcoming task, everything that has caused anxiety or similar, and then I prioritize them in an agenda. It seems tedious, however once you get a handle on scheduling, in my personal ex perience, it is easier to hold yourself accountable and slowly work your way through accomplishments, even small tasks, which is encouraging to continue. Sometimes, something as small as an accomplished task can uplift a mood greatly. Especially when listed and checked off to see the progress.

user: Thank you. That seems helpful. I tend to make excuses for myself when I feel like this and allow myself to slip in other areas of my life. For example if I am stressed, I tend to eat unhealthy food. Overall its hard to juggle all things I want to do and be at once. I will plan to make a list and check off some small things.

assistant: When you visually see your success, I hope it will help like it does for myself. I personally believe that it is a useful tool, depression runs deep and anxiety pushes it over the edge with deadlines. Life and Personal are very complicated situations. As is living, in itself. Small accomplishments, maybe with minor rewards to yourself as you go, boosts confidence and tends to fade out the overwhelming heavy feelings.

user: What do you consider to be a minor reward that would be a good tool for me today? I have created a list and was able to check one thing off already. This has helped some and I feel a little more relieved.

assistant: A punch card. If you have one handy, a note card/index card. Draw maybe, 15 circles around the edge, and call it "My rewards" In the middle, choose one thing you enjoy, for instance, if you like an ice cream sundae, put that in the middle. For your first task, just jot all that is on your mind down, and also use that as the first task to yourself. Check off one circle, and once you hit 15 get that sundae! Awesome! I am happy to hear that it has already helped a little!

user: Thats a great idea. I really like that!

assistant: I do sincerely hope you start feeling better, the current average life has altered greatly, and it has changed workloads and balances with great challenges.

user: Yes. We are all being challenged and perhaps this will help people grow. I know that once i an over the hump I will be happy i did it and put in the effort. I appreciate the in the moment help!

assistant: Absolutely, I appreciate the chance to speak with you and give suggestions.

user: Do you have nay other tips that i may use?

assistant: Perhaps, nature. A walk alone somewhere pretty tends to be a refreshing, zen-like activity. Or even, as a meditation type approach, rock stacking. It takes much focus, and tends to leave your mind clearer in the end. I also recommend reading, or listening to audio books of a theme you are interested in. It brings comfort in activities