100 Ways To Manage Stress

to take a Stress Management Quiz

to hear Don't Worry, Be Happy

1. Make up your mind to be happy - learn to find pleasure in simple things.
2. Make the best of circumstances. No one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow.
3. Don't take yourself too seriously.
4. Don't let criticism worry you - you can't please everybody.
5. Don't let your neighbors set your standards - be yourself.
6. Do things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.
7. Don't borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than actual ones.
8. Since hate poisons the soul, don't cherish enmities and grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.
9. Have many interests. If you can't travel, read about places.
10. Don't hold post-mortems or spend time brooding over sorrows and mistakes.
11. Don't be the one who never gets over things.
12. Keep busy at something. A very busy person never has time to be unhappy.

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Prepare for the morning the night beforeGet up 15 minutes earlierAvoid tight fitting clothesSet appointments aheadDon't rely on your memory- write it downPractice preventive maintenanceMake duplicate keys Avoid contact with chemicalsSay no more oftenSet priorities in your lifeAvoid negative peopleUse time wiselySimplify meal timesAlways make copies of important papersAnticipate your needsRepair anything that doesn't work properlyAsk for help with the jobs you dislikeBreak large tasks into bite size portionsLook at problems as challenges Unclutter your lifeSmileBe prepared for rainTickle a babyPet a friendly cat or dogDon't know all the answersLook for the silver liningSay something nice to someoneTeach a kid to fly a kiteWalk in the rainSchedule play time into every dayTake a bubble bath'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">bubble bathBe aware of the decisions you makeBelieve in yourselfStop saying negative things to yourselfVisualize yourself winningDevelop your sense of humourStop thinking tomorrow will be a better todayHave goals for yourselfDance a jigSay hello to a strangerAsk a friend for a hugLook up at the starsPractice breathing slowlyLearn to whistle a tuneRead a poemListen to a symphonyWatch a balletRead a story curled up in bedDo a brand new thingStop a bad habitBuy yourself a flowersTake time to smell the flowerFind support from othersAsk someone to be your "vent-partner"Do it todayWork at being cheerful and optimisticPut safety firstDo everything in moderationPay attention to your appearanceStrive for excellence NOT perfectionStretch your limits a little each dayLook at a work of artHum a jingleMaintain your weight Plant a treeFeed the birdsPractice grace under pressureStand up and stretchAlways have a plan "B"Learn a new doodleMemorize a jokeBe responsible for your feelingsLearn to meet your own needsBecome a better listenerKnow your limitations and let others know them tooTell someone to have a good day in pig latinThrow a paper airplaneExercise everydayLearn the words to a new songGet to work earlyClean out one closetPlay patty cake with a toddlerGo on a picnicTake a different route to workLeave work early (with permission)Put air freshener in your carWatch a movie and eat popcornWrite a note to a far away friendGo to a ball game and screamCook a meal and eat it by candlelightRecognize the importance of unconditional love Remember that stress is an attitudeKeep a journalPractice a monster smileRemember you always have optionsHave a support network of people, places and thingsQuit trying to "fix" other peopleGet enough sleepTalk less and listen moreFreely praise other peopleRelax, take each day at a timeRemember, you have the rest of your life to live!

- Author Unknown -

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Preventing Stress

1. Make Decisions
Here are 2 techniques:

A. Can't make up'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">make up your mind? Maybe your subconscious can help you.

Before going to bed, think about your problem and the various choices you could make. Think about each choice clearly in your mind. Tell yourself you're going to make the decision while you sleep.

You may not name the solution the next morning but if you keep trying, you will eventually awaken with your mind made up.

B. Sit down with a pencil and paper and make some lists.

1. List your options.
2. List the consequences of each option.
3. Write your response(s) to this question: What will happen if I don't choose at all?

If you don't make a decision, that's a decision in itself and it also has consequences. Once you realize that something is going to happen whether you make a decision or not, you may find the decision easier to make.

2. Avoid Procrastination
If procrastination causes stress in your life, learn to stop putting things off. People don't do their best work under pressure. However, some people convince themselves that they do so they can avoid dealing with their habit of procrastination.

Make a weekly schedule and fill it with lots of time for leisure as well as work. That way, you'll enjoy your playtime because you'll be doing it at the right time, not when you should be working. And when you are working, you won't resent it because you'll know that your leisure time is coming up soon.

3. Delegate
People who haven't learned to delegate often feel needlessly stressed. Some are poor delegators because of too little or too much ego. Delegating isn't a matter of dictating to others; it's asking others to assist you by doing tasks they can handle. This gives you more time to do those tasks that perhaps only you can do.

© Canadian Mental Health Association

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Dealing With Stress

Work no more than ten hours daily.

Have at least one and a half days each week free from normal work routine.

Allow at least half an hour for each main meal.

Eat slowly and chew well.

Cultivate the habit of listening to relaxing music.

Practice relaxation and/or meditation at least once daily for no less than fifteen minutes each time.

Actively cultivate the habit of walking, talking, and moving at a slower pace.

Smile and respond cheerfully whenever meeting anyone.

Plan one "away from it all" holiday each year.

Take ten minutes daily (or twenty minutes four times weekly) for physical exercise, some of it preferably outdoors, so you get the added benefit of fresh air and full spectrum light'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">full spectrum light.

Examine your eating pattern and balance the diet.

If emotional and/or sexual relationships are distressing you, seek advice.

If you're unhappy at work, take stock and look at choices (retraining, new areas at work, job agencies, and so on).

Cultivate a hobby that's creative rather than competitive (gardening, painting, do-it-yourself) and spend time on it.

Have a regular massage or join a yoga class.

Concentrate on the present, avoiding the tendency to dwell on past events and future uncertainties.

Work and act methodically, that is, finish one task before starting another.

Express your feelings openly and without antagonism or hostility.

Don't accept, or set yourself, unrealistic deadlines. What can't be done one day can wait until the next.

Don't rely on drugs, blaming others, or other props in order to cope; accept personal responsibility for your life.

Join formal and/or informal support groups.

Take a full lunch break.

Geographically separate locations for lunch and coffee break.

Decorate your work space.

Develop strong outside interests and hobbies. It is best to consider one's job a hobby.

- Author Unknown