In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Stress often occurs when someone is overwhelmed with too many problems or responsibilities. If your friend or loved one wants help coping with their stress, offer to sit down with them and try to pinpoint exactly what's stressing them out. This is an important step towards making their stress feel more manageable. Brainstorm with them about what their biggest stressors are. They'll probably have some ideas of their own, but you can also help by offering your own observations or asking questions. For example, you might ask things like, "How are things going at work? Are you getting enough sleep?" Some sources of stresslike terrible winter weathermay be totally outside of your loved one's control. Others, however, may be more manageable. Help your friend or loved one identify problems that are within their control. Then, work on breaking those problems down into bite-sized pieces so that they seem less overwhelming. Make a list of their stressors and try to pinpoint which ones they can control and which ones they can't. Maybe a messy house is one source of stress for your friend, but the task of cleaning up feels overwhelming. Say something like, "Okay, let's take it one room at a time. How about we start with the kitchen and go from there?" You can also encourage them to drop obligations that aren't really necessary or are causing them undue stress. If you have any positive strategies for coping with your own stress, talk to your friend about them. Don't pressure your friend into trying something or suggest that it's guaranteed to work for them. Just say something like, "You know, when I'm feeling overwhelmed, it really helps me to take a break and go for a walk." Some good stress-relieving activities include meditating, doing yoga, doing something creative, listening to peaceful music, reading a book, or spending time with friends. Spending quality time with someone you care about is a great way to minimize stress. Encourage your friend or loved one to take a little time off from their worries and do something with you that you both enjoy. For example, you might invite them to go see a movie you've both been excited about, take them to an art class with you, or invite them out for coffee at their favorite cafe. Physical activity is another great stress-buster, so consider going for a walk or playing a round of squash at the gym. If your friend or loved one is stressed because they have too much on their plate, taking some of the pressure off them can be a big help. If you're able to take over any of their obligations or responsibilities, offer to do so. For example, you might say, "Hey, how about I make dinner tonight so you can relax for a bit?" Don't offer to take on anything that you aren't confident you can handleotherwise you may cause yourself undue stress! Sometimes, your friend or loved one's stress may be too big for the two of you to handle alone. If you're concerned about their wellbeing and don't think you can do enough to help, urge them to talk to their doctor or a counselor. If you're really worried about them, you could call a local crisis line and ask for advice. They can offer tips on how to help your friend cope or connect you with resources that can help. If you're a minor, talk to a trusted adult about what your friend is going through. You could reach out to a parent, a teacher, or your school counselor or nurse.
Summary: Help them identify the causes of their stress. Work with them to find solutions to solvable problems. Share some of your favorite stress-relieving strategies with them. Invite them to do something fun or relaxing with you. Offer to help them with some of their responsibilities. Encourage them to seek professional help if necessary.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: You might be tempted to turn to social media when you feel lonely, but it is better to call someone or speak to someone face to face when you need social interaction. Social media may seem like a good substitute for human interaction, but it can increase feelings of isolation. If you need someone to talk to, then call a friend or go somewhere where you can talk to people. If you have difficulty getting out or making friends, then you may try to find substitutes for human interaction, like watching TV. But watching TV when you feel lonely instead of spending time with people can make matters worse. Try to limit yourself to an hour or two of television per day and do not use it as a replacement for interacting with other people. Having a drink by yourself now and then is not a problem, but using alcohol to cope with being alone can cause major problems for you. You should not need to drink or use other substances to make alone time bearable. If you are relying on alcohol (or drugs) in order to deal with being alone, then you should seek some help from a mental health professional. Being alone and being lonely are two different things. Being alone just means that no one else is around, while being lonely is when you feel sad and/or anxious because you want to interact with other people. During alone time, you should feel content and comfortable. When you are feeling lonely, you may feel depressed, hopeless, or like you are an outcast. If you are feeling lonely because of too much alone time, then you may want to speak to a therapist about these feelings. It might help you to remember that it is normal to be a little afraid of spending time alone. People crave human contact, so spending time alone may not always seem like a fun prospect. That is why it is important to find a balance between being alone and seeking appropriate interactions. Keep in mind that it is normal to feel a little fearful of alone time, but it is unhealthy to avoid it all the time. If you think that you have an extreme fear of being alone, then talk to a therapist about ways that you can overcome this fear. While it is important to maintain your good relationships, you should let go of any relationships that are unhealthy or that make you feel unhappy. Some people stay in unhealthy relationships out of a fear of being alone, but doing so may be more harmful than helpful. If you are in a relationship that makes you unhappy, but you are afraid to end it because you don't want to be alone, talk to someone who can help. Arrange to meet with a trusted friend, a spiritual leader, or a counselor to discuss your situation. Make sure that you grow and maintain your support network. Part of dealing with being alone is having a solid support network of friends and family that you can turn to when you need help. Look for ways to meet new friends and maintain your current friends, such as taking a class at your gym, meeting up with a friend for coffee, or joining a special interest group in your area.
Summary:
Seek out people when you need to talk instead of turning to social media. Watch television in moderation. Limit your use of alcohol when you are alone. Learn the difference between being alone and being lonely. Remember that fear of being alone is normal. Seek out healthy relationships and let go of unhealthy ones.