Walk, Talk, Breathe

Those are the three things we're told to do to alleviate stress - and who isn't feeling stress at the moment? Go for a walk and get some fresh air. Talk to a friend - or a stranger. Breathe. It seems we forget to do that when we're tense.

I'd like to add a few more suggestions.

Take a nap. When I am really stressed, I find if I close out the real world for just a little while I can return to reality with a new outlook. Of course walking from the Land of Nod back into the World of Chaos tends to make this short term solution seem more like a waste of time rather than a sensible course of action.

Look at old photos. Your high school yearbook or the family reunion shots. No matter what happens in life, you will always have family and friends - no really, I mean it. Yes, I understand they may be causing the stress you're feeling, but the world would be a much quieter and sadder place without them. Look at those photos and smile.

Remember two things. First, worrying about things over which you have no control is futile. Second, unless it's fatal, it's no big deal.