Are You Super Stressed Out? A Psychologist Says You Should Try This.

August 11, 2026 - 03:28

When daily pressure starts to pile up, the usual advice is to take a break, breathe deeply, or step away from the screen. But one psychologist suggests a different approach: turn outward instead of inward. Helping someone else, even in a small way, can shift your focus and reduce the weight of your own worries. This is not about ignoring your problems. It is about changing the pattern of rumination that makes stress worse.

The idea is rooted in what psychologists call adaptive coping. Instead of avoiding the stressor or numbing it with distractions, you engage with the world in a way that builds connection. That might mean calling a friend who is having a rough day, volunteering for a short task, or simply asking a coworker if they need a hand. These actions create a sense of purpose and remind you that you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed.

At the same time, the psychologist emphasizes that helping others should not replace asking for help yourself. The real win comes when you do both. Reaching out for support is not a sign of weakness. It is a way to share the load. When you let someone else listen or assist, you give yourself permission to be human. And when you help someone else, you get a small break from your own internal noise.

So the next time stress feels like too much, try a small act of kindness. It might not solve everything, but it can loosen the grip of anxiety. And that is often enough to get you through the day.