52 PROVEN STRESS REDUCERS (PART II)

15. Pollyanna-Porewer! For every one thing that goes wrong, there are probably 10 0r 50 or 100 blessings. Count ´em!.

16. Ask questions. Taking a few moments to repeat back directions, what someone expects of you, etc., can save HOURS. (The old ¨the hurrieder i go, the behinder i get, ¨ idea.)

17. Say ¨NO!¨ Saying no to extra projects, social activities, and invitations you know you don´t have the time or energy for takes practice, self-respect, and a belief that every one, everyday needs quiet time to relax and to be alone.

18. Unplug your phone. Want to take a long bath, meditate, sleep, or read without interruption? DRUM UP the courage to temporarily disconnect. (The possibility of there being a terrible emergency in the next hour or so is almost nil.).

19. Turn ¨needs¨ into preferences. Our basic physical needs translate into food, water, and keeping warm. Everything else is a preference. Don´t get attached to preferences.

20. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

21. Make friends with nonworriers. Nothing can get you into the habit of worrying faster than associating with chronic worrywarts.

22. Get up and stretch periodically if your job requires that you sit for extended periods.

23. Wear earplugs. If you need to find quiet at home, pop in some earplugs.

24. Get enough sleep. If necessary, use an alarm clock to reming you to go to bed.

25. Create order out of chaos. Organize your home and workspace so that you always know exactly where where things are. Put things away where they belong and you won´t have to go through the stress of losing things.

26. When feeling stressed, most people tend to breathe in short, shallow breaths. When you breathe lie this; stale air is not expelled, oxidation of the tissues is incomplete, and muscle tension frequently results.

Check your breathing throughout the day, and before, during, and after high-pressure situations. If you find your stomach muscles are knotted and your breathing is shallow, relax all your muscles and take several deep, slow breaths. Note how, when you´re relaxed, both your abdomen and chest expand when you breathe.

27. Writing your thoughts and feelings down (in a journal), or on paper to be thrown away ) can help you clarify things and can give you a
renewed perspective.


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