Stress is an unavoidable part of most people’s lives. While a little stress from time to time can be okay, becoming overwhelmed by stressful situations can result in some negative consequences for our physical and mental health. The important thing is to find a way to maintain balance in life so that stress doesn’t take over. With the right balance, I’ve found that inner peace is easier to achieve than previously imagined.

Here’s how I’ve created a balanced life in the midst of stress and chaos.

1. Prioritize Responsibilities

Spreading myself too thin is probably one of the leading causes of stress in my life. Although it can be easy to feel like everything I need to do needs to get done right away, that isn’t usually the case. By prioritizing my tasks and responsibilities, I’ve been able to come up with a schedule that works for me and I don’t feel pressure to tackle a bunch of things at once.

2. Make Time for Self-Care

Stress seems to thrive when I’m not tending to my own needs. Because of this, I’ve realized the importance of building time for myself into daily routines. This time can be something as simple as taking an hour after work for a quick walk or taking a few minutes before bed to read a good book. I was honestly shocked at how much better I felt when I began to make time for myself on a regular basis.

3. Separate Work Life from Home Life

With technology keeping everyone in constant contact, and more people telecommuting than ever before, it can be difficult to keep work and home life separated. But research shows that people who are able to achieve a work-life balance tend to have fewer health problems and be happier overall.

According to House Method, for people who work at home, it’s important to have a dedicated workspace that’s separate from the living area. Since I work remotely a few days a month, I’ve set up a room solely for work—this prevents me from getting distracted from the rest of my house and allows me to focus on work only when I’m in that room. Typically, I try to remain unplugged from work responsibilities once the work day ends. This gives me more time to be present in moments with family, friends, and myself.

4. Practice Mindfulness

When things get crazy and stress creeps in, I tend to get a lot less mindful. By practicing mindfulness, I’ve found that I can truly live in the moment and appreciate things a whole lot more. Mindful people are less distracted, more open, and more appreciative of the things around them. Some people even believe that mindfulness can improve physical health as well. Although it can take some time to develop mindful habits, the end result can be well worth the wait.

5. Set Short- and Long-Term Goals

Having weekly and monthly goals allows me to plan out each day and lower my stress levels. By setting goals for myself, I not only have something to look forward to, but I work toward self-improvement along the way. Because of this, I believe that creating both short-term and long-term goals can help you stay focused on the positive things you’d like to achieve in the near and distant future.