Stress! Just the word almost makes you stress out.

Stress is a normal part of life. We are going to feel stress and we have to deal with it. How you deal with stress really is what makes the difference.

Here are 7 ways I handle my stress:

1. Go Swimming.

I love to swim. I have always enjoyed spending time in the water and as a kid I  played for hours in the pool. I love getting in the water and just swimming around, holding the edge and kicking or just treading water. It is nice to be somewhere else and just enjoy my time in the pool. I am sure being active helps as well.

2. Get it Out of My Head.

I hate when my head starts to race with too many thoughts. I need to get them out so I have have some quiet and relax.

So to help quiet all those thoughts I get them out. Sometimes I will just write and write and write until I have never left to write so everything is out and clear. Other times I will brainstorm, I will just put on the recorder and talk out all the solutions and ways to move forward with whatever is in my head. I play it back and write down some of the great ideas and move forward with them.

3. Take Deep Breathes.

I live in a very fast pace world. My friends know I will always be the first one done eating. I am always GO GO GO. Sometimes this fast pace catches up with me and overwhelms me. This is when I need to take a break and take some deep breathes.

We never breathe as deeply as we should. Taking the time when I am stressed to simply breathe can really give me the engender and focus to move forward in a better state of mind.

4. Say No!

No is a bad word to me. I rarely use it. I really am always full of ideas and always wanting to help. I quickly say yes to things before I even think if I truly want to do them. I do not like to disappoint people so I tend to say yes when I really mean no.

I have learned that true friends in your life or people who truly care about you do not judge you when you say no. They appreciate you being honest and helps them to know what you like to do better and what tasks you have strengths in.

When I am stressed, I have to remind myself to say no. To start really learning to think before I answer with a yes. This alone can reduce my amount of stress.

5. Unplug.

I am connected to the world at all times. I can not live without my iPhone. I am always emailing, texting, blogging, reading, Tweeting, responding to Facebook, etc. Sometimes I am just on the internet shopping and looking and end up all over the place with hours gone.

It is not healthy to be this connected at all times. When I find I am stressed, I will take time to unplug. Even if it is to go to lunch and movie and not look at my phone once or better yet, leave it in the car.

I love being connected. I am all about it but sometimes to let stress go you have to unplug and be present in your life.

6. Laugh.

If I am not laughing, I am stressed. It is so rare not to find myself smiling or laughing at something through out the day. When I noticed I haven’t been laughing, I know it is time to find some humor in the day.

I will go talk to friends, watch a favorite movie, or just do something silly to put me in the laughing mood. For me, life is too short not to be laughing. If I am not laughing, I am taking life too seriously.

7.  Treat Myself.

This is one of my favorites.

Sometimes I am working so hard on something that I waiting for the big pay off when it is done. I can not always for delay satisfaction. Why not reward myself for the hard work done so far?

This can be simple and easy. It doesn’t mean I buy myself a car. I might have a break with double stuf oreos and ice cold milk. I might go lay in the sun for a break. I might take a day or hour off just to do something fun. I might buy fresh flowers for the house.

What are some of the things you do to reduce your stress?

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