The kitchen is often seen as the heart of the home, but it can also be a source of stress for many people. From preparing food to cleaning up, there are plenty of tasks that can trigger feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.

If you’re someone who struggles with kitchen stress, here are five common triggers and some tips for coping with them.

1. Too Many Dishes

Cooking a meal is one thing, but then you have to clean up afterward. If you’re facing a sink full of dishes, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Here are some tips:.

Start with the hardest items first: if you have pots and pans that need soaking or tough stains to scrub off, tackle those items first so they can soak while you work on the rest of the dishes.
Use a timer: set a timer for 15 minutes and tackle as many dishes as you can in that time. Once the time is up, take a break or move onto something else.
Enlist help: if you have family members or roommates, make a chore chart or take turns tackling the dishes so it’s not always falling on one person.

2. Running Out of Ingredients

There’s nothing more frustrating than getting halfway through a recipe only to realize you’re missing a key ingredient. Here are some ways to cope:.

Double-check the recipe: make sure you read through the recipe thoroughly ahead of time to ensure you have everything you need.
Substitute if possible: if you’re missing an ingredient, see if there’s something else you can use instead (e.g. applesauce for oil in baking).
Make a grocery list: if you frequently find yourself running out of ingredients, start keeping a running grocery list so you can restock as needed.

3. Burning Food

Burning food can be frustrating and potentially dangerous if it leads to a fire. Here’s how to cope if you burn your food:.

Assess the damage: if the food is only slightly burnt, you may be able to salvage it by scraping off the burnt parts.
Be more vigilant: if you keep burning food, it may be a sign that you need to pay closer attention while cooking. Make sure you’re not multitasking too much or leaving the stove unattended.
Take a break: burning food can be stressful, so take a step back and do something else for a few minutes to help calm down.

4. Too Many Options

While having plenty of food options can be a good thing, it can also be overwhelming if you’re not sure what to make. Here’s how to cope:.

Plan ahead: if you have a meal plan in place, it can make grocery shopping and cooking much less stressful.
Choose favorites: if you’re feeling overwhelmed by choices, stick with tried-and-true recipes that you know you and your family enjoy.
Try something new: on the other hand, trying a new recipe can be exciting and help break up the monotony of cooking the same meals over and over again.

5. Tight Timelines

Whether you’re cooking for a party or just trying to get dinner on the table after a long day, time constraints can be stressful. Here are some ways to cope:.

Prep ahead of time: if you can chop veggies or marinate meat ahead of time, it can save you precious minutes when you’re actually cooking.
Set realistic expectations: if you’re short on time, don’t try to cook a complicated meal. Stick with something simple and quick so you don’t get frustrated.
Use shortcuts: there’s no shame in using pre-chopped veggies or store-bought sauces to save time.

By following these tips, you can hopefully make your time in the kitchen less stressful and more enjoyable.