To reduce stress, you need to practice daily relaxation. Here are a few ideas:

• Make special time for yourself each day to read a book, listen to music, watch the sun set, or do anything that makes you feel calm and peaceful.

• Use your favorite kind of exercise as a perfect way to release tension.

• Practice time management by giving yourself enough time to get things done.

• Keep your sense of humor! If you can laugh at yourself and the crazy things that happen each day, you’ll stay happier and healthier.

• Try deep breathing or meditation. Also, many libraries and bookstores have audio files or CDs that may help you relax.

• Imagine stress away. When you’re feeling stress, stop what you’re doing. Imagine a peaceful scene—a warm beach or rolling green hills, for example.

• Identify what triggers stress for you and plan ahead to avoid or prepare for those triggers.

• Limit situations with relatives or friends that have the potential to turn into arguments and stressful encounters.

• Realize that specific minor issues are not so important, no matter how complicated, that you need to create a stressful situation for yourself.

• If you have stress-relieving places or activities that you know work for you, remind yourself to use these resources when you feel your stress levels rising.

• If you need more help with coping, try joining a support group. Sharing problems with others can help you handle the big stresses in your life.