We are living through a very stressful time. People are worried about whether they will have jobs tomorrow, concerned that they may catch or spread the virus, and anxious about protecting their families and loved ones.

On top of that, they may be dealing with loneliness and other effects of social isolation, along with fear and uncertainty over what the future holds. This is on top of many of the worries that ranked Americans among the most stressed-out people in the world before the coronavirus pandemic.

We know that stress is harmful to our physical, mental, and emotional health and our relationships. Higher levels of stress have been proven to wreak havoc with the body's ability to regulate inflammation, potentially making us more susceptible to physical illness.

Feelings of negativity, pessimism, worry, and despair may also elevate our stress levels and corrode our sense of well-being. This can also rob us of the joy and the hope we need to make it through difficult times such as the ones we are now living through.

If you are struggling with negative emotions at this time, you are not alone. Fortunately, there are things we can do to cultivate feelings of calm, hope, and positivity, even when we face a personal or collective crisis. Here are a few:

1. Positive Affirmations — Stating positive affirmations each morning can put you on course for a positive day. Think of this as giving yourself a quick pep talk in the mirror. Even if it feels a little silly, look at yourself and say, “It’s going to be a great / happy / productive day.” Then get more specific and tell yourself how you’re going to accomplish the specific things you want to get done. This will help you achieve your goals — and even small accomplishments can do a lot to boost your mood.

2. Focus on the Good — Life is full of obstacles to overcome, people who are difficult to deal with, and mistakes that everyone makes. But in almost every situation, you can find a sliver of good if you look for it. When you consciously choose to focus on that instead of what went wrong, this can help you maintain a positive mindset. And that will help you accomplish more.

3. Meditate — Meditation can help you clear negativity, energize your mind, and relieve anxiousness. When you take the time to meditate, it is like hitting the reset button. Meditation allows you to disconnect from the world for a few moments and tune out the negative. During this time, focus on light, positivity, and gratitude.

4. Uncover and Release Trapped Emotions — We believe thoughts and emotions can create physical energy that affects our bodies. Left unprocessed, these energies may become stuck, potentially leading to physical and/or mental distress. At Discover Healing, we call these energies Trapped Emotions. The Emotion Code^® teaches a simple method for finding and releasing Trapped Emotions. When people are able to release Trapped Emotions, they often say it feels as if a weight has been lifted from their bodies.

5. Be in the Moment — It is easy to feel negative when we dwell on past events or mistakes, or worry about bad things that might happen in the future. When we consciously focus on the present moment, we train our brains to worry less and enjoy life more. That can help us maintain a positive mindset, even when things around us seem chaotic, unpredictable, and scary.

Try these simple methods for yourself. You may find they help you lighten the load of worry you feel and live with more joy, hope, and confidence.

About Dr. Bradley Nelson: Veteran holistic physician Dr. Bradley Nelson (D.C., ret) is one of the world’s foremost experts on natural methods of achieving wellness. He has trained thousands of certified practitioners worldwide to help people overcome physical and emotional discomfort by releasing their emotional baggage. His best-selling book "The Emotion Code" provides step-by-step instructions for working with the body's energy healing power. A newly revised and expanded edition of "The Emotion Code" is now available from St. Martin's Press. For more information and a free Emotion Code Starter Kit, visit www.emotioncodegift.com.