Tips on Beating Stress

Your body knows instinctively that stress - physical response to a psychological overload - hurts. And it's not only the mega doses of angst that goes along with death, divorce, unemployment and job change that take a toll, but the everyday stress of traffic gridlock, appliance breakdowns, family fights and late dinners with over cooked vegetables lead to stress related health problems ranging from hives to increased risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and brain tumor.

There are ways to beat stress, but you have to put your organizational skills to work and learn how to relax despite it all.

Eliminating the Morning Rush

The night before, know what you're going to wear tomorrow and check everything for spots, missing buttons. Fill up the car with fuel.

Put the coffee on and set the timer so that when you wake up in the morning, the java's ready and you can savor that first steaming cup without waiting.

Get up early. This gives you time to exercise, walk the dog, pack a lunch or just take some quiet time for yourself.

Set the clocks ahead 5 - 10 minutes, then forget about it. You'll worry less about getting off on time.

Post reminders on the bathroom mirror or refrigerator so that you don't forget things like your lunch sack, gym bag, appointment book or briefcase.

Survival Tactics to Get Through the Day

Take breaks. Take 15 minutes in the morning and again in the afternoon. Get up, walk around, stretch. If you stand on your feet all day, sit down, read the newspaper and enjoy a glass of cold water or fruit juice.

Walk at lunchtime. Like other aerobic exercise, it's a great stress reliever. Walking a mile or two with a buddy makes it go faster and gives you both a chance to talk things out.

Don't try to do too much at once. When things pile up, take them one step at a time. Before you know it, work projects will no longer seem overwhelming.

Have duplicates made of any items you'd be lost without - like your car keys, eyeglasses, list of important phone numbers. Anyone who has ever locked their keys in the car will appreciate this tip.

Get a cordless phone and take it with you when working in the garage, the yard, or your suntan.

Take a walkman - and your favorite tapes along when you expect a long wait in the doctor's or dentist's office.

Be creative when dealing with stressful people. If you can't avoid them, try to maintain control in all encounters. Don't let time wasters sit down in your office or they may never get up. Direct the conversation to keep them from getting off on tangents.

Approach everything with a sense of humor. Even when things go wrong there's a humorous side. Share a joke with a co-worker; make a funny face at someone. Laugh at yourself.

Learn to say 'no' and 'I'll get back to you'. If someone insists on an answer, tell him or her you need some time. Or just say no, if you don't want to consider a request for a favor or a social invitation.

Winding Down in the Evening

Invest in an answering machine and refuse to answer the phone when you're eating or busy. An answering machine lets you screen calls.

Make exercise a part of your life. Working out is the best stress reliever. Lift weights, get on the stationary bike, jump rope, go for a run.

Don't drink or eat in excess. Too much wine or beer will make you groggy and drain your energy. You'll fall asleep earlier but will probably wake up in the middle of the night. Late dining packs on the calories and causes a stuffed, uncomfortable feeling or indigestion, which interferes with restful sleep.

Indulge yourself for at least an hour every night. Read a good book, watch a DVD, soak in the Jacuzzi. Devote time to a favorite hobby.

Focus on the positive. Avoid the nightly television news. It's usually loaded with negatives, causing sensitive people to lie awake, worrying about things they have no control over. Think about the pleasant things that happened during the day. Drift off to sleep while listening to a relaxation tape or classical music.

Allow yourself to make mistakes. Nobody's perfect and what seems like a disaster today will hardly be remembered next week. By next month it will be forgotten. If you offend someone, swallow your pride and say, 'I'm sorry'.