Communities in the Texas Hill Country have faced two major floods in just over a year, compounding emotional distress and making recovery difficult.

In Texas, storms don’t always end when the clouds clear. For some families, the next round of thunder, a chance of hail, or even a new flood watch can bring the fear from past events right back to the surface.

I think it’s safe to say that we’re all a little bit anxious these days.

How can we go about taking control of some changes in our lives? We often do this by setting goals.

The CEO of Jewish Family Service San Antonio says she’s seeing more families talk about the resurfacing of the anxiety brought on by the pandemic.

Remember to be kind to yourself so that you are able to prosper when you are faced with challenges, such as navigating the new parts of society.

Stress and anxiety were part of our lives before the Coronavirus pandemic, but over the past year, those have been taken to new levels.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there are many programs and resources available at the San Antonio Public Library that are free of charge.

During the town hall, we will explore the impacts of mental health and wellness this year and beyond. We’ll also be answering mental health and wellness questions that you can submit ahead of time.

Have you ever been so afraid of something that it held you back in your life? People around you acted like it was no big deal, but to YOU it was an astronomically big deal?

Mental health expert gives simple, straightforward tools for bouncing back from negative emotions.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – The holidays, online work and school, and the pandemic … it’s no wonder 40 million people say they are suffering from an anxiety overload. And studies show disorders like anxiety can also have an impact on your physical well-being. In fact, 28 percent of people who suffered dizziness also had a form of anxiety. To combat anxiety episodes, experts say exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Studies show it can reduce anxiety.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – The holidays, online work and school, and the pandemic … it’s no wonder 40 million people says they are suffering from an anxiety overload. Nearly half of Americans say the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health. And studies show disorders like anxiety can also have an impact on your physical well-being. To combat anxiety episodes, experts say exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. While anxiety disorders are treatable, only about 37 percent of people suffering receive treatment for their symptoms.

To make matters potentially more stressful, Thanksgiving — and conversations with family members who may not agree with your political views — is right around the corner. That’s why it’s vital to learn to adapt to negative emotions and move on in a healthy, productive manner through the ordinary magic of resilience. Resilience Toolbox:Take a deep breath – If you find yourself in an upsetting conversation or anxious about the future, you may stop and take a deep breath. When you take a deep breath, your body is sending a message to your brain to relax and calm down. List things you can control – In life there are some things that you can control and some things that are out of your control.

To say 2020 has been stressful would be an understatement – and this election cycle isn’t making anything easier. There is a lot of collective anxiety at this time, which can lend itself to more emotional eating, which makes perfect sense. But if you’re someone who stress eats, there are some ways to be smart about it. When it comes to sweets, if you enjoy ice cream, add fiber and berries or diced mango on top. Green tea in particular has less caffeine than coffee, tons of antioxidants and amino acids that can reduce stress and promote calm feelings.

SAN ANTONIO – Specializing in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, Dr. Harry Croft is aware of what stress and anxiety can do to the mind and body. “The what if’s about the future make us feel worse and make us less able to cope,” he said. He said too often, people worry about what they can’t control, like who will win the presidential election. But he strongly advises against using drugs or alcohol to relieve anxiety. Croft said once the effects wear off, “They’re even worse than they were before they started.”RELATED: Coronavirus pandemic is increasing stress and mental health problems in the workplace

In the middle of a worldwide health pandemic, we not only have to protect ourselves from COVID-19, we also have to protect ourselves from daily mental health challenges. Either way, here are some helpful lessons that keep me going and help to combat my anxiety. Also, please consider talking to a licensed therapist who can help you grow your mental health toolbox, you don’t need to do it alone. and, with the proper mental wellness tools, we can come out of this stronger and more resilient. In 2019, she helped form the San Antonio Mobile Mental Wellness Collaborative, a unique group of six mental health nonprofits who provide a holistic approach to mental wellness to school districts.

And because long-term exposure to stressful events contributes to the risk of developing an anxiety disorder, it's important to avoid letting anxiety persist unchecked, especially in children. Thankfully, families can proactively leverage science-backed ways to ease anxiousness and restore a sense of connection and joyfulness at home. That includes wearing masks and social distancing, as well as disruptions in their routines and the inability to see friends and family members. Make family fitness a priorityDesignating time for family fitness is an effective way to strengthen your family bond while relieving stress and anxiety. Whether it's yoga, a walk or a workout, make a commitment and hold all family members accountable to participating several times per week.