Whenever you get really stressed out, grab a pen and a few pieces of paper.

Whenever you get really stressed out, grab a pen and a few pieces of paper. Write down every single thing you’re currently worrying about. Don’t filter your words or resist your feelings. Be brutally honest about what you are going through. Expose your fears and insecurities so you can see them outside of yourself.

Once you’re finished, go back and read through everything you just wrote. Then take out another few sheets of paper, and write down one reason why you’re grateful for every single thing you’re worried about. It doesn’t matter how awful or irredeemable that source of stress has been; come up with one reason why you’re thankful to have experienced it. This is the best method for transforming mental poison into spiritual nourishment. Writing unlocks the gates of your mental prison, which allows your brain to decompress and breathe. And practicing gratitude for each of your stressors helps you see your life in a more positive light.

I can’t overstate how critical writing was for retaining my sanity. It was one of the few activities that calmed me down and made me feel better.

Play It Away: A Workaholic's Cure for Anxiety