101 Tips on Stress Management

Below are simple but very potent tips on bursting stress. A few may appear strange in your environment but avail yourself of the myriads you can practise.

1. Meeting a friend for a drink (non-alcoholic)
2. Set aside 10 minutes a day to relax and collect your thoughts
3. Watching TV debates that deal with the realities of the world 
4. Listening to relaxing music e.g Jazz, worship songs depending on your faith
5. Watching funny movies
6. Taking a good walk in the countryside
7. Going to the gym
8. Soaking in the bath with lavender oil 
9. Meditating 
10. Talking to someone just to vent a little 
11. Walking the dog 
12. Getting more sleep 
13. Praying 
14. Reading a book to distract yourself from your stressful thoughts 
15. Do something good for someone else 
16. Writing a letter to someone to get your feelings across and vent, but not actually sending it 
17. Painting or drawing 
18. Book a massage or spend time in a spa with a friend 
19. Write a list of things to do and cross them off as you do them 
20. Try putting things into perspective 
21. Put off the phone and get some time to yourself 
22. Do something you like with family or friends like going to a show 
23. Dancing around in your room to your favourite music 
24. Going to your friend’s house with another friend and putting the world to rights 
25. Have a change of scenery 
26. Go out and meet new people 
27. Go to a yoga class 
28. Express your feelings and emotions 
29. Spend time with positive people around you 
30. A hot cup of something wonderful, a journal and a pen 
31. Eat a healthy meal and avoid caffeine 
32. Getting closer with nature e.g. have a walk at beach, observing the sunset 
33. Watch your favourite programme on TV 
34. Give yourself ‘me time’ just a few minutes to think about pleasant things 
35. Ask yourself what would other people do 
36. Thinking of the work you HAVE achieved in a day, rather than what you haven’t done 
37. Relaxing with reflexology 
38. Go to uplifting plays, operas and concerts that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up 
39. Go to bed at any time of day with a great book 
40. Host a dinner party 
41. Cheer up someone who is feeling down 
42. Spend some time doing something you enjoy, like gardening 
43. Writing down my thoughts 
44. Play silly mind numbing games on the computer 
45. Avoid putting things off 
46. Find a quiet place and try to visualise a happy memory 
47. Do something creative like knitting 
48. Play a musical instrument 
49. Play with your pet 
50. Get some fresh air 
51. Be gentle to yourself 
52. Laugh! 
53. Go window shopping 
54. Write short stories 
55. Call a loved one 
56. Talk to a stranger 
57. Practice CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) 
58. Chat to your friends on Skype or Facebook/ Whatsapp/2go 
59. Take a nap 
60. Take a break, even a short one can make a difference 
61. Going for a walk at lunchtime 
62. Write poetry 
63. Enjoy a glass of wine 
64. Cuddle a baby (ideally one you know – cuddles with my niece or nephew are amazing for de-stressing) 
65. Spend time with children – they really put things in perspective, like ‘Wow there’s a cool cloud’, and remind you of simple things that used to amaze you 
66. Go out to a Karaoke night 
67. Imagine living in a different era, maybe war time or before cars and trains were invented and how much harder life would be 
68. Bake a cake 
69. Sitting in a café with a cup of tea and a magazine 
70. Go for a relaxing swim 
71. Sit on a park bench and watch the world go by 
72. Tidy a room or cupboard (other people might find this stressful, but I find it relaxing!) 
73. Challenge a friend to a game of Scrabble 
74. Breathe deeply for two minutes, and focus on your breaths 
75. Make something – knit a scarf, build an Airfix model, just make something! 
76. Write a list of the reasons you have to be happy with life 
77. Take a minute to stretch your body 
78. Use a relaxing room fragrance or scented candle to create a sense of sanctuary 
79. Practicing Tai Chi 
80. Looking at photos of happy memories 
81. Have a cup of tea 
82. Thinking of something you’re looking forward to or something that was fun 
83. Go to the cinema 
84. Aquafit classes at lunchtime 
85. Go for a bike ride 
86. Listen to the birds singing 
87. Reminding yourself it could be worse and count your blessings 
88. Playing board games with your family 
89. Playing my favourite song and singing it out loud 
90. Cleaning! 
91. Practicing calligraphy 
92. I find moving furniture around the house very soothing 
93. Write a letter to a loved one 
94. Play with my children 
95. Watch some mind numbing programs on TV like X Factor 
96. Go out for a run in the park 
97. Volunteer at the local homeless shelter, it helps put my worries into perspective 
98. Play Sudoku or crosswords 
99. Read some gossip magazines 
100. Go to a salsa class 
101. Get a cuddle.

You can add to the list in the comments section.

Watch out for our final and elaborate article on stress management, coming out soon.
Stay Healthy!