50 ways to reduce stress

By Harry D. Pound

1. A lot of things are "stressful" simply because we don't allow ourselves enough time to get them done. Look for ways to take the hurry out of your everyday tasks and responsibilities.

2. Get out of bed 15 minutes earlier to avoid the early morning rushing around.

3. Prepare for the morning the evening before (set out clothes, polish shoes, organize breakfast, etc.)

4. Write things down; don't rely on memory. (Trying to remember not to forget is real stressful.)

5. Ask questions, repeat back directions, repeat what you heard the other person say, etc. Taking an extra moment to be sure you understand what was said can save time and prevent aggravation.

6. Keep a duplicate car key in your wallet (I have personally done this for the past few years - this is an extremely good suggestion)

7. Practice "preventive maintenance" on your car, appliances, teeth, personal relationships, etc. so they wont break down at the worst possible moment.

8. Add an ounce of love to everything you do.

9. Eat healthy foods. Don't overeat (always leave the table feeling a little hungry)

10. Procrastination is stressful. Whatever you want to do tomorrow, do it today; whatever you want to do today, do it now!

11. Organize your home and work area so that everything has a place. You won't have to go through the stress of losing things.

12. Plan ahead. Don't let the tank of gas get below quarter full; buy toll coupons and stamps before you need them.

13. Schedule a realistic day. Allow ample time between appointments; make a "to do" list the evening before, and think of cutting it in half if there are just too many things on the list.

14. Relax your standards. The world will not end if the general cleaning does not get done this weekend (or whatever it is you're fussing about)

15. An instant cure for stress: a 30 minutes brisk walk or other aerobic exercise.

16. Make everyday purchases by cash or check; save credit cards for major planned purchases.

17. Make friends with non-worriers.

18. Everyday find time for solitude and introspection. Seek out quiet places.

19. "Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with tye striving, and tolerant with the weak and erring -for sometime in life you have been all these."

20. Simplify.

21. Say, "No thank you" to projects you don't have the time or energy for.

22. Always carry reading material to enjoy while waiting in line or for appointments.

23. Remind yourself that Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times.

24. For every one thing that goes wrong, there are 50 to 100 blessings. Count them.

25. Do nothing which, after being done, leads you to tell a lie.

26. Put brain in gear before opening mouth. Before saying anything, ask yourself if what you are about to say is: 1) true, 2) kind, 3) necessary.

27. If an unpleasant task has to be done, do it early and get it out of the way.

28. Do one thing at a time.

29. Donate extra belongings to charity. Getting rid of what you don't need will make what you have easier to find.

30. Write your thoughts and feelings in a journal. This can help you clarify your ideas and put things in perspective.

31. When someone cuts you off in traffic, stops suddenly in front of you, etc., instead of getting mad, think of all the driving mistakes you've made in your life, and give the other guy a break. If you feel you have to do  something...pray for him.

32. Remember that everyone around you is carrying some kind of burden.

33. Get enough sleep. Get an alarm clock to remind you to go to bed if necessary.

34. Set up contingency plans: "If either of us is delayed, here's what we'll do, If we get separated in the Mall, here's where we'll meet," etc.

35. To relax instantly, breathe as though you were trying to inflate an imaginary balloon in your stomach.

36. Turn "needs" into preferences. Our body's basic needs are food, water and keeping dry and warm. Everything else is a preference.

37. Don't put up with things that don't work right. Get things fixed or replace them.

38. Stop worrying. If something concerns you, do something about it. If you can't do anything about it, let go of it.

39. Instead of saying that you are "angry" why not say you're "slightly annoyed" Are you "crushed" or are you merely "let-down" You'll be amazed how this will lower Your Temperature.

40. Live in the present.

41. Everyday, do at least one thing you really enjoy and at least one thing you don't enjoy but that you know you must do.

42. Don't get yourself upset about litter, petty things.

43. Unplug your phone while you take a shower, have dinner, meditate etc.

44. Be kind to un-kind people-they probably need it most.

45. Laugh! It puts distance between you and your problems as well as producing chemicals in the brain which makes you feel good!

46. Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully.

47. Remember that the best things in life are not things.

48. Buy clothes and shoes that are: 1) comfortable, 2) easy and  inexpensive to maintain, 3 easy to match with your other clothes.

49. Using the radio or TV as background noise can be surprisingly stressful. Learn to enjoy the quiet.

50. Forget about counting to 10. Count to 100 before saying anything that could make matters worse.

There you have it my friends. 50 Proven Stress Reducers.  We all suffer some kind of stress in our lives but as we can see, a lot of it is self-induced. Lighten up! Don't take life so seriously! Work hard, play hard but have fun along the way.