10 Ideas to Reduce Stress

1. Take time to listen to your yourself, recognize your needs, and make them a priority. Make yourself count!
2. Develop a strong support network. Friends are a priceless gift we give to ourselves.
3. Breathe. When In pain emotionally or physically we tend to breathe shallowly. Try slow deep breaths from you belly.
4. Laugh as often as possible. Laughter is a wonderful way to release tension. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. See your glass as half full and not half empty.
5. Change your routine; try something new. Have a picnic in the park; skip rocks in a pond.
6. Take time to do things you enjoy; reading, hiking, spending time with loved ones. Your life is a garden--plant with care.
7. Move! Take a walk, stretch.
8. Do something for someone else. Surprise someone with flowers, volunteer time at your favorite charity. Take the time to say thank you.
9. Take care of your body. Eat regularly and well. Trade that daily donut for an apple. Avoid excess amounts of alcohol and caffeine, and drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
10. Learn to separate problems into two categories: Those you can control and those you cannot. for those you can control look for solutions and take action. For those you cannot, release them and let them go.

Rita M.