Read the full feature story in the January/February 2026 issue.
Stress affects our minds, bodies, and spirits, but easy rituals can reduce and prevent those feelings. Dr. Juan Cabrera says practicing gratitude is one of the simplest boosts that people can give themselves. “This is something that I do every morning with my first cup of coffee before I leave the house,” says Cabrera, who opened his mental health practice in 1997. “I’ll write — literally, I have journals dating back years — gratitudes I come up with every morning. … A gratitude practice sets my mind in a positive direction, so that throughout the day, I’m thinking more positively than negatively.”
For batting back stress, Cabrera also recommends setting boundaries, taking micro-breaks, and using a one-task-at-a-time approach to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Give your mind attention through meditation and breathing exercises, and make sure you sleep on a consistent schedule. Bursts of physical activity (and the socialization that may come with them) also help dial down stress: Cabrera enjoys playing pickleball and does 15-20 minutes of yoga each morning.
Most importantly, don’t feel like you have to go it alone. From friends and family to medical professionals, “turn to your support network for assistance and advice,” Cabrera says.
