Five ways to de-stress today

Jet, Oct 4, 2004

STRESS HAPPENS. From the moment we wake up to the minute we hit the pillow at night, our day is filled with it. Misplaced car keys and bumper-to-bumper traffic delays when we're running late. Bosses who give us 5 p.m. deadlines for jobs that take weeks to complete. Kids who call us in the middle of important meetings to say they left their math book at home. And can we bring it to them?

And those are just the minor stresses. Toss in life-altering events like planning a wedding, having a baby, losing your job, getting a divorce or dealing with the death of a loved one and you become a pressure cooker ready to blow.

The impact of unchecked stress can cause numerous health problems like headaches, back and neck pain, digestive problems and ulcers, high blood pressure and heart disease. Stress also can lead to anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and depression and can affect your relationships with others.

Keep stress from turning you into a wreck with these simple ways to destress your day:

1. Don't cry over spilled milk. Try not to get worked up over life's little annoyances like the SUV driver who cut you off, the little old lady who halted the grocery express lane because she wrote a check or the fast food worker who put onions on your burger even though you said "no onions" three times. Your health is too important to sweat the small stuff, so let it go.

2. Cool out. When tension heats up, find ways to cool down. Take a brisk walk around the block or take a long soak in a hot tub. Play soothing tunes, punch the sofa cushions, phone a close friend and vent. If you can't physically leave a stressful situation, escape mentally. Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. Pray, meditate or count to 100 to calm down.

3. Work it off. Exercise burns off stress and calories. Devote 30 minutes of each day to physical activity. Ride your bike, roller skate, perform Pilates, do a little dance, make a little love. Yes, sex is exercise and a great stress reliever, so get down tonight.

4. Expect the unexpected. Manage your time and priorities wisely so that you'll be prepared when stressful surprises strike. Pack those book bags the night before and put your car keys in the same spot. Leave for appointments at least 15 minutes early in case of bad traffic. Stash an extra outfit at work just in case you spill coffee on yourself. Don't put off until tomorrow what can be done today, a stitch in time saves nine, the early bird catches the worm--you get the idea.

5. Sever that stressful tie. Sometimes the only way to rid unrelenting stress from your life is to eliminate its source. Whether it's coping with a terrible spouse or a horrible job, if things don't improve despite your best efforts, it may be time for you to walk.