These days, stress is epidemic. But it doesn’t have to be. Regardless of what you’re dealing with in life, you can learn to manage your stress levels. Here are a few tips to remember the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed:

Your mind believes what you tell it to, so examine your perspective. Are you choosing your thoughts and words carefully? Or are you just letting the waves of stress wash over you without exerting any control over your mental situation? Try shifting your focus to positive thoughts. When you hear yourself having thoughts such as, “I can’t do this,” actively try to think this instead: “It’s going to be a challenge, but I can overcome.”

Ask yourself this: “What am I really stressed about?” Are you worried about things that actually exist? Or merely potential situations? The author William Ralph Inge wrote, “Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due,” and that’s a true statement. You wouldn’t pay your financial interest before it’s due, so why do that with your emotional state? Instead, think through whether your concerns are within your control. If you determine that your stress is coming from things that you have no control over, work to let go of those negative thoughts. Surrender. Take a breath and visualize a successful outcome.

To release your hold on negativity and stress, think and act positively. Ever heard the phrase “Fake it ‘til you make it?” That works. If you act as though you’re a person free of stress and unnecessary concerns – if you smile, socialize, take relaxation breaks, and so on – you’re more likely to become that person you’re acting like.

Create an environment that encourages you to relax and let go of stress. Put on music that soothes you or makes you feel good; use essential oils such as lavender, bergamot, or chamomile to ease anxiety; place calming flowers (like orchids) where you can see them. You can also light candles and take a warm bath, or just go out and take a walk in nature. Engaging your senses will quickly rebalance your system.

Exercise has so many benefits. One is that it releases chemicals called endorphins into your bloodstream. These give you a feeling of happiness and overall well-being. Some forms of exercise, like running and swimming, have meditative effects that help alter your consciousness though breathing patterns. Others, like tennis, boxing, and weightlifting, help you channel your stress or anger through exertion. So pick which feels best for you and start moving.

Remember to breathe. Breathing helps you let things go. Slow, deep breathing helps activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps us calm down. With each inhale, through your nose, allow your abdomen and ribcage to expand as your lungs fill with air. Exhale, though your mouth, allowing (but not forcing) the air to completely leave your lungs. Repeat. Practice this for a few minutes several times a day. Your body will adjust quickly and your stress will start to vanish.

If you knew you could do something to help your children succeed in every realm of life, you’d do it, right?

You can. Here’s what it is: Helping them develop social skills.

Being socially savvy is becoming more critical than ever. In part, that’s because our culture is in the process of descending into a techno-centric screen-to-screen lifestyle. While that has disturbing implications, it does hold a silver lining for those who put in the effort to hone and maintain excellent person-to-person skills. Those who can act like extroverts (even if they’re not) are likely to be happier and more successful.

So how can you help kids sharpen their social skills? Like any other skill, being social takes practice. So encourage your kids to interact with people at every possible opportunity: Have them order for themselves in restaurants, let them chat with others at the supermarket (with your supervision, of course), and RSVP yes when they get invitations to attend parties, sleepovers, and other social events.

It helps to practice social situations with kids at home: Supplying them with appropriate verbiage – getting them to understand what’s best to say (and what not to say) under different circumstances – will serve them well. You could even create and practice scripts together.

If you overhear your child saying something innocent but inappropriate (“Why did your dog die?”), try not to scold. Instead, when both of you have left the social situation, gently explain why what the child said was amiss (“I know you were just curious, sweetheart, but asking why someone died could make someone else feel sad.”), then supply alternatives for what could have been said instead. (“I was so sorry to hear about your dog. That must have been very difficult for you. Is there anything I can do to help?”)

Providing lots of positive reinforcement is key. When you’re proud of a social interaction you saw your child participate in, say so immediately — especially if you can tell that your child stepped out of his or her comfort zone for the sake of being outgoing. Praising their positive social efforts will only help them feel confident and socially strong.