Nothing good ever comes from feeling stressed out. A little bit of stress may be a good thing—enough to remind you to get out of bed in the morning, to call your friends and family to remind them that you care for them, or to head to bed early after feeling wiped out after a long day at work. But when the stressors start to overpower you and leave you feeling out of control over a rising anxiety level and surmounting tension, then you could be in for trouble—especially when it comes to your weight loss efforts.

Too much stress puts your body behind everywhere that it counts. Stress hurts your ability to sleep, it messes with your hormone levels, and it causes you to feel upset and overwhelmed, thereby making it more difficult to keep up with the positive and healthy choices that you are supposed to make as you work through a weight loss program. Too much stress is one of the leading reasons as to why many weight loss programs don’t work, but that doesn’t have to be true for you. As you embark on a weight loss surgery program, taking the time to manage your mental health alongside your physical health can make all the difference in ensuring that you are giving yourself the best chance possible to reach your weight loss goals.

Here are a few ways that you can work on managing stress:

1. Develop a support network. Try talking to the friends and family members closest to you about what is bothering you. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to people already in your life, consider finding an online support group. Having people to talk to about your concerns can make a big difference.
2. Seek out counseling. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to friends and listening to their feedback based on personal life experiences, then consider seeking mental health counseling from a licensed professional.
3. Find ways to let it go. Find activities that you find enjoyable that help you to manage your stress level better. This may include a fun exercise program, an art class, or even a bit of dedicated “me” time when you can read a book.
4. Keep a journal. Journaling is shown to be one of the most effective strategies for coping through upsetting thoughts and overcoming chronic stress. This can help you manage your to-do list and can also help you with your weight loss journey.

Finding healthy ways to manage the stress in your life can make a huge difference in your weight loss program. For more guidance with managing stress, talk to your doctor.