What can I do to be consistent in my prayers given the many distractions and influences that keep me from them, especially when I feel extreme distress at leaving them?

Prayer holds immense significance and a great position in the religion. Abandoning it is a grave sin. Allah (the Most High) says: "Guard strictly the prayers, especially the middle prayer; and stand before Allah with devotion" (Quran 2:238), and "Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a prescribed time" (Quran 4:103), and "Then succeeded them a generation who neglected prayers and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil" (Quran 19:59). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Between a servant and disbelief is nothing but the abandonment of prayer," and "The covenant between us and them is prayer; whoever abandons it has disbelieved," and "Do not abandon any prescribed prayer, for whoever abandons it intentionally, his covenant is broken." Therefore, you must supplicate to Allah, be diligent in prayer, and stay away from bad company and distracting media.