Stress busters

"You no longer have to keep up with the Joneses... they’ve died of exhaustion."

• Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
• Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
• Carry a paperback with you to read while waiting in lines.
• Delegate tasks to capable others.
• Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
• Do something for the kid in you every day.
• Eat right.
• Every day, find time to be alone.
• Get enough exercise.
• Get organized so everything has its place.
• Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
• Go to bed on time.
• Have backups: an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key at the neighbours, extra stamps, etc.
• Having problems? Join a support group and/or see a counsellor. Try to nip small problems in the bud.
• K.M.S. (keep mouth shut.) This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
• Keep a folder of favourite cartoons on hand.
• Laugh.
• Laugh some more!
• Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
• Listen to relaxing tapes while driving.
• Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
• Make friends with happy, non-stressed people.
• Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together.
• Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good night’s sleep.
• Say "no" to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
• Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, do what you can do, and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it.
• Simplify and unclutter your life.
• Sit on your ego.
• Slow down.
• Take one day at a time.
• Talk less; listen more.
• Write things down.
• Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
• Every night before bed, think of one thing that you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before.