25 ideas to reduce stress

-- Anna Middleton

1. Give a hug to a friend or family member. You'll feel better, and so will they.

2. Put on some soothing music.

3. Learn to accept things you can't change. You don't have to solve all of life's problems.

4. Count to 10 before responding when you feel angry.

5. Learn to say no to unnecessary things. Don't promise too much. Give yourself enough time to get the important things done.

6. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. A nutritious diet and exercise can improve your immune system and elevate your mood.

7. Think ahead about what may upset you and try to avoid it. For example, adjust your schedule to avoid driving in rush-hour traffic.

8. Talk about your stressful situations with someone you trust. Sometimes just talking about your concerns can give you insights into ways to deal with them.

9. Get organized. Use your day planner for school assignments, or create a holiday calendar and write in what needs to be done by each date, e.g., sending cards, buying gifts, picking up the relatives at the airport.

10. Pet your dog or cuddle with your cat; animals can be therapeutic.

11. Prioritize your goals and look at problems from a long-term perspective: Will this really matter five years - or five days - from now?

12. Shop online to avoid crowded stores and mile-long checkout lines.

13. Hire a professional cleaning service to scrub your house instead of doing it yourself. Sure, it costs money, but it will save you lots of time and hassle.

14. Prepare holiday meals in advance and freeze them, or ask each guest to bring a dish to share.

15. Turn off your cell phone and other technological gadgets - at least for a while. This way you control when you get information, instead of being harassed by an ever-ringing phone or incessant text messages.

16. Stop and smell the roses - and all the other holiday scents, from the spice of pine trees to the rich aroma of hot chocolate.

17. Make time for the little things that bring simple pleasure, like sipping a cup of hot herbal tea.

18. Ask for help. No one can do it all alone, so participate in support, mentoring and tutorial groups, such as those offered at Metropolitan State. Get professional help if you need it.

19. Make healthier choices in things such as alcohol/caffeine/tobacco consumption. These products only mask stress, not relieve it.

20. Do something active that you enjoy, like a morning run, swimming, jogging, golfing, walking a pet, tai chi or skiing.

21. Practice deep breathing or another relaxation technique to calm your mind and body.

22. Get a good night's sleep. It can make a world of difference!

23. Take up a hobby for half an hour a day that absorbs your attention, such as reading, painting, learning guitar or building model trains.

24. Take a bubble bath. Bring the rubber ducky if you want!