A Dozen Ways to Beat Stress

Feeling stressed? Here are just a dozen of hundreds of things that can help you to relax after a hectic day.

1) Play a game

No one is too old for games. Whether it is Monopoly, Scrabble or Uno, board and card games are great ways to spend an evening with your family and friends.

2) Indulge in comics

Have you been reading too many reports? To a little spice to your reading diet, read some comics! Comics, such as Peanuts, Garfield and Archie, have held generations spell-bound with their humor. Likewise, the graphical tales of Spiderman and Superman have fired the imaginations of millions of children.

3) Read a good book

A good book does not have to be a classic. Don't feel intimidated by critics who seem to detest fast-moving bestsellers by authors like Robin Cook and Jeffery Archer. Just read what you enjoy - thrillers, mysteries, horror, romance, science fiction, humour. Just go to the library or visit a book-shop, and treat yourself to a nice book.

4) Have a long bath

Immerse yourself in a warm bath and stop thinking about the problems at work. A warm long soak can help to wash away stress and anxiety, and get you ready for another day.

5) Work out

Exercise is excellent for dispelling stress. It doesn't always have to be jogging or working out at the gym. Choose your favourite sport and just enjoy yourself.

6) Make a friendly phone call

Give your old friends a call and have a chat. Re-establish contacts and renew old relationships. Relive old memories (somehow, the old days always seem fun ) and rebuild friendships which have stagnated.

7) Listen to music

When you are feeling uptight and anxious, listening to music may just be the thing to do. Curl up in a comfortable chair and tune in to the therapeutic effects of your favourite music.

8) Cook and eat

Food brings people together. What is more fun than to gather a few friends and have a big cooking session? It is great fun to whip up your favourite dishes together. It is also an excellent opportunity to re-establish a neglected network of acquaintances.

9) Start a collection

Everyone has a collector's instinct. Starting a collection relieves stress by helping you to refocus your energies on something you enjoy.

10) Walk in the park

Does a walk in the park sound boring? Well, it isn't. Watch the people. Listen to the birds. Admire the greenery. Feel the warmth of the sunshine on your skin. Spend some time alone with nature, and experience its glorious powers.

11) Window shop

The price tags of some shops may be outrageous, but that should not stop you from window-shopping. A great deal of pleasure can come from looking at beautiful clothes, objets d'arte and aesthetically appealing goods, even if you have nothing specific to buy.

12) Learn a new skill

Learn to play the guitar. Try your hands at stain-glass painting, pottery or origami. Study a new language or enrol for a course in a new field. Try catwalking. Learning a new skill is an enlightening experience and broadens your perspective. And it is a stress buster as well.

Stress is so prevalent that most of us just cannot escape its grip. The only way we can hope to survive is to learn to relax. So forget about your worries. And relax.