100 Ways to Reduce Stress

Set priorities in your life • Avoid negative people • Use time wisely • Always make copies of important papers • Anticipate your needs • Ask for help with the jobs you dislike • Break large tasks into bite-size portions • Look at problems as challenges • Repair anything that doesn’t work properly • Simplify meal times • Look at challenges differently • Unclutter your life • Smile • Be prepared for rain • Tickle a baby • Pet a friendly dog/cat • Don’t know all the answers • Avoid relying on chemical aids • Avoid tight-fitting clothes • Get up 15 minutes earlier • Prepare for the morning the night before • Set appointments ahead • Don’t rely on your memory…write it down • Practice preventive maintenance • Make duplicate keys • Say “no” more often • Look for the silver lining • Say something nice to someone • Teach a kid to fly a kite • Walk in the rain • Schedule play time into every day • Take a bubble bath • Be aware of the decisions you make • Believe in yourself • Ask a friend for a hug • Develop your sense of humor • Have goals for yourself • Learn to whistle a tune • Listen to a symphony • Look up at the stars • Practice breathing slowly • Read a poem • Say hello to a stranger • Stop saying negative things to yourself • Do a new thing • Read a story curled up in bed • Stop thinking tomorrow will be a better day • Visualize yourself winning • Watch a ballet • Stop a bad habit • Buy yourself a flower • Take time to smell the flowers • Find support from others • Ask someone to be your “vent-partner” • Work at being cheerful and optimistic • Put safety first • Do everything in moderation • Pay attention to your appearance • Always have a plan “B” • Be responsible for your feelings • Become a better listener • Feed the birds • Hum a jingle • Learn a new doodle • Look at a work of art • Maintain your weight • Plant a tree • Stretch your limits a little each day • Strive for excellence, NOT perfection • Learn to meet your own needs • Memorize a joke • Practice grace under pressure • Stand up and stretch • Know your limitations and let others know them too • Tell someone to have a good day in pig latin • Throw a paper airplane • Exercise every day • Learn the words to a new song • Get to work early • Clean out one closet • Play patty cake with a toddler • Go on a picnic • Take a different route to work • Leave work early (with permission) • Put air freshener in your car • Watch a movie and eat popcorn • Write a note to a far away friend • Go to a ball game and scream • Cook a meal and eat it by candlelight • Freely praise other people • Get enough sleep • Have a support network of people, places and things • Keep a journal • Practice a monster smile • Quit trying to “fix” other people • Recognize the importance of unconditional love • Remember that stress is an attitude • Remember you always have options • Talk less and listen more • Relax; take each day at a time.