2) visualize calm - think of a calm scene as you close your eyes

3) mini self-massage - take your fingertips and rub your shoulders and neck. then rub the insides of your palms firmly. you can also take off your shoes and massage them gently. finally, rub your temples in circular motions.

4) try a tonic - tonics (available in health stores) can give you a boost

5) smile - it feels so good! and laugh, too!

6) rate your problem 1-10 - it's usually not as bad as you think.

7) don't clench your teeth - if you find yourself clenching your teeth, put your tongue between your upper and lower teeth. or chew gum. also, avoid biting your tongue.

8) use a mantra - a simple word like om, peace, relax chanted a few times as you close your eyes and concentrate on the word will help you calm down

9) bend and inhale and exhale - bend over as you breathe

10) be a fighter (don't give up) - don't let simple problems hassle you! take charge, you can do it!

11) write - sometimes writing out your frustration can solve your problems

12) count to 10 - just like your parents told you

13) avoid caffeine - it can make you jittery and really get to your nerves

14) say no - if you can't handle it, don't be afraid that people will think you're incompetent if you say no to them. taking on more than you can deal with may end in disaster, so stick to what you can do reasonably.

15) smell nice smells. carry a few pieces of rock salt with drops of the scent (rose, eucalyptus, anise, bay, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, thyme)

16) warm up - rub your hands and put them over your eyes

17) acupressure - put your first two fingers for 3 min on your third eye (just above your eyes between your eyebrows), at the back of the neck below the base of your skull, *" below the top of each shoulder, at your temples temples. then breathe.

18) schedule worry time - don't let your head be cluttered with worry while you work. set worrying aside for another time.

19) stretch your arms out and shake your hands vigorously for 10 seconds

20) munch carbs - bread, crackers, pasta, will give you an energy pick-up

21) take vitamins daily (1g C, 1-300% B, Mg, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mb, Zn, Se). make sure you get your calcium!

22) sex - it can be relaxing!

23) admit you're stressed - that's the first step to destressing. if you admit it, you'll relax immediately.

24) space out - stare out the window for a few minutes or more...

25) herb tea - relaxing herb tea is warm and can soothe you as you sip

26) take a walk - go out, look at the sky, the birds. or just walk inside.

27) take a hot bath or just a hot face/arm wash

28) listen to music (some great pieces: Air for G string by Bach, Pastoral by Beethoven, Nocturne in G by Chopin, Water Music by Handel, Autumn or December by George Winston)

29) get or visit a dog - they're so affectionate you'll forget yourself. or visit a cute baby (especially during naptime).

30) focus on one object - look at a single object, don't take your eyes away. push all thoughts out of your head as they come up.

31) call a friend - chat it out

32) stretch - sit on your feet with your forehead to the ground and your hands behind you

33) say a prayer

34) make plans - for the weekend, for the night, for a date

35) goof off - play a harmonica or kazoo, do something fun

36) sit/stand straight - this will take stress off your body. make sure you pull your neck back too.

37) garden or plant

38) if you're working at a computer or reading, take time to blink. just close your eyes and look away...now feel relaxed...