CURB YOUR STRESS –

5 tips that really work
1. Keep a tiny to-do list — every morning write down the top 3-5 tasks to accomplish that day. And then — put down your pen until the next day. Be realistic about how much you can get done and always leave a block of time for yourself.
2. Don’t go it alone — enlist others to help you complete tasks and learn how to accept offers of assistance from friends and co-workers. When you don’t try to do everything yourself, the quality of your work will go up, while your stress level will drop.
3. Feel the burn — take time every day to exercise or to do something physical. Even light exercise helps “burn off” stress hormones and stimulates important brain chemicals. It also increases the activity of key “feel-good” neurotransmitters.
4. Put away your magic wand — multitasking is not a genuine solution to anything, regardless of how much you have to do. Yes, you may need to work on several tasks throughout the day, but you aren’t a magician. Trying to “do it all” at the same time is impossible, and creates lots of stress.
Let laughter into your life — smiling more and enjoying a giggle here and there can mellow out your autonomic nervous system and provide a boost to the immune system. It also helps reduce stress hormones like cortisol. And — it’s really fun!