This year, with COVID-19 and the swooning economy, people are grappling with a lot more uncertainty. Add to that a contentious election whose outcome may not be known right away and the coming winter's longer spans of darkness. It can be easy to feel vulnerable. 

"We know that 2020 has just been this incredible time where the next stressor keeps hitting before we have any chance to recover," says Anne Browning, assistant dean of wellness at the UW School of Medicine.

Anxiety itself can be a positive emotion because it helps keep us safe, Browning explained, but we need to recognize when it becomes overwhelming.  She offers advice like turning off notifications on your phone and asking yourself before you read an article whether it will affect your well being.