There’s just no two ways about it, being active, in mind, spirit and body is what keeps the stress away best.  The more engaged we are in healthy activity the less place stress will have in our lives.

Make a vow to yourself, today, to do at least 3 simple stress-busting pleasures each day and you will instantly feel much, much better.

Enjoy moderate, pleasurable exercise like bike or swim
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Remove your watch and go for a timeless walk
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Give a hug, a kiss or an orgasm (these all release endorphins)
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Cultivate interest in music you love
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Make some music you love
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Select from 3 cards and send to 3 people just because
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Phone in for a "well" day and then have a ball!
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Offer a heart felt apology
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Spend the day downtown and pretend you are a tourist
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Play with your children today, all day!
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Tell somebody how much you appreciate them
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Smile at everyone you see today
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Shoot some hoops with a neighbor’s kid
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Shoot some pool with your own kid
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Shoot the breeze with a neighbor you thought you did not like
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Take a walk or bike ride on a new route
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Always meditate and practice mindful breathing all days
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Go to an arts event of some kind even if you don’t think you will enjoy it
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Dance like a pro!
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Cook your spouse a favorite meal
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Take mom out for a favorite meal
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Go someplace special like to see a beach sunset
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Start a new hobby such as gardening
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Begin a new journal
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Write a poem
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Settle in for a really good movie (don’t forget the popcorn)
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Reduce all sugar, caffeine, alcohol just for 1 week
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Get back in touch with someone you miss
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Pay someone to come and clean out the garage
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Organize your closet
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Donate the clothes you never wear to charity
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Do a kind deed but don’t tell
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Curl up on the couch with a really good book
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Spend the whole day at the Spa
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Spend the day giving someone you love a good massage
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Play board games all day long and into the night…..
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 Go for some acupuncture
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Wear wild colors today, all day
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Buy 2 bunches of flowers. One to keep and one to give
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Meditate by the ocean listening to the soothing relaxation
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Go for aromatherapy or reflexology
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Take a yoga class
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Hang out at your favorite bookstore
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Invite a friend out to a movie, a concert or a play
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Frame that picture for your best friend
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Put some coins in someone’s expired parking meter
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Pre-pay the toll for the car following you
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Volunteer your time at a food bank or soup kitchen
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Don’t just volunteer your time, volunteer you!
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Commit yourself to a spiritual belief or ceremony
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Treat yourself to a hot bubble bath by candlelight
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Go on tour with Mother Nature (see the woods, mountains, desert)
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Go fly a kite!
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Treat yourself to something pampering (a manicure or new hairstyle)
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Wait in line for a free makeover in a department store
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Retreat to your favorite store and buy 1 gift just for you
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Join a book club
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Brew a special cup of tea and offer it to someone else
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Try a new recipe at a new exotic restaurant
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Paint the kid’s room a fresh, new color
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Bring home a new fur ball (pet)
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Surprise your family with a fun Sunday drive into the country
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Blow bubbles with your kids
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Make a snow angel with your husband
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Go back to school to teach
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Update your photo album
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Gather round and plan the next family vacation
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ANOTHER GOOD REMEDY FOR EVERYDAY STRESS

Do you feel that you just don’t have the time to properly de-stress each day?  The good news is you can incorporate simple stress busting routines into all that you do!

Stretch those muscles!
Lean your right ear down to your right shoulder and stretch the left side of your neck as you do.  Now, switch sides and do the other side. Now, look down and drop your chin towards your chest. Now slowly, let your head roll to the right and then to the left. Repeat slowly until you feel yourself loosen up.

Enjoy a relaxing massage
Treat yourself to a professional therapist massage and be sure to ask for a calming essential oil such as lavender or chamomile. Buy yourself some of the same oil to take home, and when you’re having a stressful moment, put a few drops of oil onto your tissue or pillowcase and then just breathe into it deeply. You can also use some of the oil to be infused into the air with a diffuser. Just smelling the oil will relax you even if you don't get to have a massage!

Wear a Smile
Always begin your day with a broad smile on your face.  Purpose in your heart to be lighthearted on this day and every time you see someone pass them a big, sincere smile.  You will be surprised how easily this action will affect your mood.

Share in a good joke or two and try to make someone else laugh. Feeling lighthearted is a good thing!  Just ask Martha Stewart!

That Small Inner Voice -- Talk to yourself
Gently close your eyes and repeat positive affirmations.  Tell yourself over and over what you want to believe to be true, such as: 'I am calm' or 'I am confident and sure…' Keep in mind that what you believe to be true will be felt by your body!

In Support of Good Posture
Take in a few, good deep breaths as you sit up very tall. Put your feet flat on the floor. At the same time angle your thighs slightly toward the floor, arch in your lower back slightly, gently push your sternum (chest bone) back and then relax your shoulders.

Take in another good deep breath and hold your position for a minute or two. Don’t allow your posture to slouch at all during this time – hold your position upright and support your good posture.

As your good posture continues to align, you will relieve all muscle tension. Do this exercise twice daily and you will find yourself naturally supporting your good posture each day.

Have Some Fresh Air and Take a Brisk Walk
If you must be indoors most of your day, taking a break to breathe in pure air and to exercise your limbs will be an instant refresher. Doing this will give you back good concentration and you will feel more limber.

Spend only 20 to 30 minutes each day taking in fresh air and walking and you will improve both physically and mentally. If you have a dog, take them along with you.  They need to be refreshed just as you do.

Take up a Relaxing Hobby
Spend an afternoon at your local craft store and select a new hobby. A good hobby that really interests you will breathe new life into your day.  You will be more relaxed and enjoy having a new interest.  Whether you choose painting, playing an instrument, knitting, or even kite flying, choose something that will encourage calm and serenity.

Try a Relaxing Form of Eastern Meditation such as Tai Chi
Take time to focus from within and you will cultivate a spirit of self control over the anxiety-ridden external world.

Take a good book to bed with you each night and spend 30 minutes relaxing before you turn out the light.  This will be calming and as you close yours eyes each night remind yourself of your many blessings.
 
Give Lots of Hugs and Kisses Daily
Even on your busiest days, stop and hug and kiss someone who is special to you.  Your children, especially, need to know how much they mean to you.  A show of affection will go a long way.

Spend time each day with a beloved pet.  Studies have shown that when we care for a pet we release anxiety and tension, naturally.

Spend quality time with your loved one.  Remember those special times with your spouse before the children came along.  Nurture moments with just the two of you and you will relax, naturally

Replace that Uncomfortable Office Chair with an Ab Ball
Next time you leave for your office, stop, first into a fitness store and buy an Ab Ball.  This ball will allow your core muscles to have a great wake up call.  Just sit on your Ab Ball and then bounce on the spot!  You will feel instantly refreshed and your co-workers will want to do the same!

Just as it is time to take your lunch, first bounce on your Ab Ball to get your gastro-juices going!  You will firm up your body in no time and best of all you will have fun!

Breathe in the Gift of Life
We can all go for weeks without a crumb of food, days at a time without water, but, we can only go for minutes without good, pure oxygen.
The average person breathes very shallowly and this makes it almost impossible to be relaxed.
Sit yourself down, purposefully, and take in a slow deep breath in through your nose until you have properly filled up your lungs.
 Hold in the air in for a moment and then very slowly exhale through your lips. Breathe deeply in this way for 4 - 5 times, a few times a day.
You will feel instantly refreshed!

Listen to the Gift of Music
As much as possible, always set your mood with background mood music.  Some like traditional blues, some like jazz.  Try the newer nature sounds, so you can be working to background sounds of tin pans, flutes and ocean waves crashing on the beach.  Whatever you choose, make sure it relaxes and does not energize you.  There is a time to be energized and a time to relax.  For relaxation, select the mood music over the rock and roll or the hip hop.