Using applications, and multiple windows

[ivanwi11iams]

Currently working on moving from Windows to Mac OS (Mac Mini M1). But, struggling with day to day use of the application windows, i.e. applications I have open.

My setup is I typically have two windows of Chrome open (each window has a few tabs), along with Outlook, which then has multiple individuals emails open, plus 1 or 2 Excel documents.

What is the easiest way to manoeuvre between applications and items opened in those applications?
At the moment, I have to right click on the icon in the dock, then select the 'item' I want to bring to the foreground. Surely I am doing this wrong; this seems excessive (compared to the process on Microsoft Windows). Hence, my question. Thanks

EDIT: Device name, Mac Mini M1

 

[chabig]

Cmd-tab cycles through open apps (add the shift key to cycle backwards).
Cmd-~ cycles through an application's windows (add the shift key to cycle backwards).

Also, learn to use gestures (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204895):
- swipe down with three fingers to see an app's windows
- swipe up with three fingers to see all windows