Stress is one of those things in life that is unavoidable.  No matter who you are, how rich or poor, what color you are..you will at one point or another be stressed out about something.  Stress effects people in different ways.  In some it can come in the for of a headache, a knot in the back of your neck, of feelings of depression or overstatement.  The major causes of stress are relationships, finances, work, family, or self accomplishments.  No matter what the reason is or how you feel it.  There are ways to reduce stress caused by everyday events.  So sit back and relax. 

 

1. Get up 15 mins earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.

2. Prepare for the morning the evening before. Set the breakfast table, make lunches, put out the clothes you plan to wear etc.

3. Don't rely on our memory. Write down appointment times, when to pick up the laundry, when library books are due etc. "The palest ink is better than the most retentive memory!" ~ Old Chinese Proverb.

4. Do nothing which after being done, leads you to tell a lie.

5. Make duplicates of all keys. Bury a house key in a secret spot in the garden and carry a duplicate car key in your wallet, apart from your key ring.

6. Practice preventive maintenance. Your car, appliances, home AND relationships will be less likely to break down/fall apart "at the worst possible moment."

7. Be prepared to wait. A paperback can make a wait in a post office line almost pleasant. :)

8. Procrastination is stressful. Whatever you want to do tomorrow, do today! whatever you want to do today, do it now.

9. Plan ahead. Don't let the gas tank get below one-quarter full; keep a well-stocked "emergency shelf" of home staples; don't wait until you're down to your last bus token or postage stamp to buy more etc.

10. Don't put up with something that doesn't work right. If your alarm clock, wallet, shoe laces, windshield wipers - whatever - are a constant aggravation, get them fixed or get new ones.