Stress Reducers

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A list of 36 Stress Reducers

1. Pray.
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say “no” to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what HP would have you to do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut.) This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the “Kid in You” everyday.
16. Carry recovery materials (or a Bible) with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough exercise.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write thoughts and inspirations down.
22. Everyday, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to HP on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with healthy people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite readings/verses/reflections on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “Thank you, HP!”
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but yourself, not at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are NOT the general manager of the universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before

Stressor Interventions

http://www.ewu.edu/x6670.xml

1. Learn to Plan.  Don’t procrastinate and let things pile up.  If you must take on more than one project at a time, prioritize work to be done and space deadlines far enough apart to control the buildup of stress.  Learn time management skills. 

2. Recognize and Accept Limits.  Set realistic expectations.  Nobody can be perfect so try not to be hard on yourself if you don’t meet some of your goals. 

3. Have Fun. Give yourself a break.  You need to occasionally escape from the pressures of life and have fun.  Find pastimes which are absorbing and enjoyable to you, no matter what your level of ability.  Identify activities both physical and mental that you find enjoyable and helpful in dealing with stress. 

4. Be a Positive Person.  Avoid criticizing others.  Learn to praise the things you like in others.  Focus upon the good qualities those around you possess.  Learn to do this for yourself also.  Notice and reward yourself for your good qualities and for even small improvements. 

5. Learn to Tolerate and Forgive.  Intolerance of others leads to frustration and anger.  An attempt to really understand the way other people feel can make you more accepting of them.  It is important to become aware and accepting of your own feelings as well. 

6. Avoid Unnecessary Competition.  There are many competitive situations in life that we cannot avoid.  Too much concern with winning in too many areas of life can create excessive tension and anxiety and make one unnecessarily aggressive. 

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Last update: Saturday, February 24, 2007.  Feedback - send an email to: