Proven Strategies for beating Stress.

• Socialize. Laugh, cry, get angry and express your feelings with family and friends. It’s a great way to give and receive compassion and emotional support.
• Every day, tell someone how much you appreciate them, and take the time to say “thank you” for the things that make your life better.
• Avoid drama as much as possible. Overreacting and exaggerating increase anxiety and drain energy. When you find yourself predicting the worst, gently tell yourself, “that’s not helping to change things.”
• Live in the present instead of comparing it to the past.
• Plan something you can look forward to every day.
• Don’t blame yourself for unexpected changes or events.
• Take care of your body by getting regular exercise, sleeping enough and following a healthy diet.
• Meditate, practice deep breathing, or do a spiritual practice that has meaning for you.

(Sources: De-Stress Kit for the Changing Times, from Doc Childre, the Institute, the Institute of Heart Math; Yale Stress Center.)