• Deep breathing/Breath focus
• Progressive relaxation exercises/Body scan
• Listen to music (esp. classical)
• Take a hot bath
• Read a book
• Call or meet a friend
• Practice yoga or tai chi
• Meditate mindfully
• Exercise
• Aromatherapy
• Laughter
• Drink black tea
• Guided visualization/guided imagery
• Religious: Mass and Bible Study
  • repetitive prayer
• Chew gum (xylitol)
• Get or give a massage
• Self-hypnosis
• Sex
• Take a nap
• Hug/cuddle
• Pet time
• Art therapy
• Journaling
• Walk
• Kissing

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• ID sources of stress
• Replace unhealthy coping strategies with healthy ones
  • Unhealthy Coping strategies
    • Pills or drugs
    • Withdrawing
    • Binging on junk/comfort food
    • procrastinating
    • zoning out for hours (TV or phone)
    • Scheduling too much to avoid problems
    • Sleeping too much
    • Taking out stress on others

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• The 4 A's of Stress Management
  • Avoid
    • Say no
    • distinguish between 'shoulds' and 'musts'
    • avoid people who stress you out
    • Control environment (instacart, less crowded roads, turn off TV)
    • Pare down to do list
  • Alter
    • Express your feelings
    • Be willing to compromise
    • Create a balanced schedule
      • balance between work and family life, social activities, solitary pursuits, daily responsibilities, and downtime.
  • Adapt
    • Reframe problems: traffic for time to regroup
    • Look at big picture: will it matter in a month/year?
    • Adjust standards: perfection = stress. Set reasonable standards, or be ok with 'good enough'
    • Practice gratitude
  • Accept
    • Don't try to control the uncontrollable, focus on the things you can control, such as the way I react to problems
    • Look for the upside: challenges as opportunities for personal growth, learn from mistakes
    • Learn to forgive: people make mistakes, let go of anger and resentment.
    • Share your feelings: Talk to someone or a therapist
• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm

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• Develop a stress-relief toolbox
  • go for a walk
  • spend time in nature
  • call a good friend
  • workout
  • journal
  • long hot bath
  • scented candles
  • warm cup tea or coffee
  • pet time
  • garden
  • get a massage
  • read
  • listen to music
  • watch a comedy

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• Manage time better
  • don't over-commit
  • prioritize tasks
  • break projects into small steps
  • delegate responsibility
• Eat a healthy diet
  • reduce caffeine and sugar
  • avoid alcohol, cigs, drugs
  • get enough sleep