1. Keep things in perspective.

You are still here, alive and breathing. Your presence means there is possibility for your circumstances to change.

2. Have gratitude.

It can be challenging to have gratitude when you are in the midst of tough times. Being grateful for something or someone can offset or even outweigh the burden you may be experiencing.

3. Find community.

Similar to having gratitude, finding community can be difficult. In trying times, it can be easy to self-isolate and direct all of your pain inward. Find a group of family and/or friends and be in a loving and supportive space. Share your pain and discomfort. Allowing yourself to "release" around loving people can offer some relief.

4. Eat and Exercise

You must eat. Your body needs energy in order to sustain itself. Depriving yourself of the necessary fuel to get through your day can make your situation even more challenging. To add, exercising is a good way to stimulate your immune system and provide you with a boost, while decreasing any anxiety or "nervous" energy that you may have. Your physical health is just as important as your mental health.

5. Do something you love.

Play your favorite jazz record. Dance merengue, salsa or bachata. Prepare your favorite meal. Read. Write. Paint. Be out in nature. Walk your dog. Spend time with friends. Doing something you love can be a healthy distraction from those trying situations.

Ever notice the green blades of grass that pad your feet as you walk barefoot in the park? Have you felt the coolness of a summer breeze against your skin? Maybe you have taken a moment to say, "Thank you!" for waking up this morning. If you have done these things, you took a moment of your time to be grateful. Having gratitude demonstrates that no matter what other circumstances that may be affecting you, you are taking the time to be thankful. Despite those turbulent moments that life will have us experience, allowing ourselves to appreciate the small things keeps things in perspective for us. We will be busy in our lives. There will be deadlines to meet, family to spend time with, chores and work that will make our schedules appear to be unmanageable. Even so, it is necessary to have gratitude. This moment in itself is worthy of us being grateful. As such, take a moment or two and have gratitude for something. There is beauty in the small things. Look. Listen. Smell. Taste. Feel. Whatever senses you can deploy, give yourself space and opportunity to give gratitude for those things that seem to be mundane. The birds. The trees. The air. The Sun. Your family. Your friends. Your health. Doing so will keep things in perspective. Try it!