Coping with Stress
Stress Busters!
- Take a warm bath.
- Count backwards from 100
- Take a breathe- 4 or 5 deep, cleansing breaths.
- Read an engrossing novel.
- Take a walk.
- Meditate for 15 minutes.
- Do gentle, static stretches for 15 minutes.
- Close your eyes and daydream.
- Call a friend.
- Sit down, take the phone off the hook, close the door … relax!
- Go see a movie.
- Turn on your favorite record or tape.
- Zone out ? watch a silly sitcom!
- Work it out ? take and exercise class.
- Put it in writing – write a nasty letter – don’t mail it!
- Take a stress management class.
- Find a hobby you enjoy.
- Play with a pet ? unconditional love!
- Rehearse how you’ll handle a stressful situation before it happens.
- Keep your sense of humor ? laughter is the best medicine.
Nine Ways to Say No
If saying no is hard for you as it is for most people, here are a few ways to say no that might help you in the future:
- Perfectly Valid NO. “I’ve been out three nights this week. I’m staying home and watching television with the kids.” Say it like you mean it.
- No-After-Saying-Yes NO. “I’ve made a mistake. I shouldn’t have committed myself. I’m sorry, I’ll have to back out.” Hang up the phone and give a huge sigh of relief.
- Five-Star NO. (This is my favorite: There’s no comeback for it.) “I’ll have to pass it up.”
- No-Right-Now NO. “I’ve done it in the past and I’ll do it in the future, but I can’t do it now.”
- Polite NO. “I’m sorry, but my schedule doesn’t permit me to take on any more obligations this (pick one) week / month / year / decade.”
- No-Way NO. This one is for a teenage son who wants you to call your friends for a ride so he can have the car. Look directly in his eyes, smile, enunciate clearly. Say NO.
- Diplomatic NO. “It was kind of you to think of me. I’m flattered you asked. I’m sorry I won’t be able to do it.”
- Cowardly NO. Backed into a corner? Feeling low on energy or courage or both? Feeling somewhat desperate? Use this one: “My husband / mother / child doesn’t want me to do that.”
- Absolute NO. “I cannot do this. I don’t have the desire, the time, the interest, or the energy. NO, absolutely not. Never.” Save this one for special occasions.
