Participating in pastimes you enjoy, like cooking and writing, gives your mind gets a break from anxiety and tension because you’re focusing on a completely unrelated activity. The added bonus of taking a mental breather is a reinvigorated perspective about the event or task that was causing stress in the first place. For example, if a project at work is causing inner anguish, find a healthy distraction like talking with co-workers or playing a game of Solitaire. When you're ready to return to the project, your mind will be more focused and ready to deal with the situation at hand.