No previous generation of people in history has experienced the variety and intensity of pressures, conflicts, and demands ours has. We live in an age of anxiety and if you are among the thousands of people struggling to maintain physical and mental health in the face of stress, you know something has to change.

When managed correctly, stress can positively impact productivity and performance. Here are three things you can do to make stress work for you:

1. Recognize worry for what it is.Stress is a feeling, not a sign of dysfunction. When you start to worry, realize it’s an indication that you care about something, not a cause for panic.
2. Focus on what you can control. Too many people feel bad about things they simply can’t change. Remember what you can affect and what you can’t.
3. Create a supportive network. Knowing you have somebody to turn to can help a lot. Make meaningful connections with others so that you have people to rely on in times of stress.