How do I manage stress? I am glad you asked.

I may not handle everything perfectly all of the time, but I do balance a lot and live my life on deadline, and if I am not careful I can easily get behind with my workload goals, feel a little overwhelmed or frustrated, or neglect my family and household. That’s no good. So, some tips I have accumulated to help stay level-headed and peaceful while still working towards some goals and life improvements:

– Be grateful. Truly. Don’t wish for a bunch of additional stuff or for everything to be some other way than what it is. Accept reality and be thankful for it.

– Rejoice and be glad. Some take that as a commandment, that there is no other option. This is the day the Lord has made, after all.

– Do the important stuff first. In the morning, think briefly about the end of the day. What activities must you absolutely accomplish that day? What tasks getting done would provide you with a greater sense of peace, security, pride and accomplishment? Do those things. Immediately. At least start the initial steps, or have a plan in place for how you will do them. Those other things, the ones that could lead you down the path of “oh shoot, I just wasted two hours doing that,” don’t do those things. Not until you do the important activities.

– Focus on the goals, the outcome, your vision and dreams. If what you are doing is related to accomplishing your goals, continue doing it with a blessed and joyful attitude. You have this opportunity to improve yourself, your business, your future, your living quarters, your relationship—what a blessing. If the activity does not relate to taking steps towards a goal, or if perhaps your values or your vision of the future has changed, stop doing it.

– Do not worry about tomorrow. Perhaps have some idea about what you will do tomorrow, about how to best spend tomorrow, but do not worry about it. Another commandment! Tomorrow can deal with its own self.

– Get some sunshine. Five minutes of sunshine > no sunshine.

– Move around. Consciously move your body in some ways it may not be required to throughout the course of your day. Again, more would be ideal, but some movement > no movement.

– Listen to music. Play music. Listen to your favorite music. Discover new music.

– If the job just seems insurmountable, take a brief time to break it down into smaller steps, and schedule time to take those smaller steps. Which steps must come first?

– Plan ahead. Do not worry. Do not stress. But have a plan and stick to it. Stick to your vision, your values and goals. Expect your plan to succeed, but if it does not, be prepared to be flexible with a backup plan, or multiple backup plans.

– Smile. As much as possible, even during inappropriate times.

– Don’t be too shocked by anything. Be prepared for any scenario.

– Don’t be too reactionary and allow yourself to get into crisis after crisis. Let some of those crises work themselves out without your time.

– Get a proper amount of sleep.