Quite frequently distress is perpetuated by polluting the present with disturbing ruminations regarding past or future concerns. Life is full of simple pleasures that are often overlooked. Strive to see and appreciate the beauty and meaning in each moment of living By doing so, you can displace stress-producing feelings of worry, guilt and fear. Build a social support system. Nurture the relationships you value by being accepting of others and giving service where you can.
Distress is bred in social isolation and from the ensuing sense of alienation from others.
It is a generally accepted principle of psychological health that people need to be heard, valued and understood. For optimal health and personal grouwth, we need each other. This is not a deurotic dependence, but a healthy interdependence. If despite your best coping efforts, you find yourself in a chronic, painful state of distress, consider the use of professional counseling. The need for such help does not mean you are weak, crazy or sick.