101 Top tips for addressing your stress

Thank you so much to those who came back with some brilliant tips on how you manage stress. Everybody is different and what works for one person might not work for another. Here are 101 tips provided by you. Why not give it a try?

1. Meeting a friend

2. Setting aside 10 minutes a day to relax and collect my thoughts

3. Watching late night TV debates that deal with the realities of the world

4. Listening to relaxing music

5. Watching funny movies

6. Taking a 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 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. Unplug 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 on the 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 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 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

58. Chat to your friends on Skype or Facebook

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. Eat or drink something you enjoy

64. Cuddle a baby (ideally one you know –cuddles with my niece or nephew are amazing for destressing)

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 wartime 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. Bake something – knit a scarf, build an Airfix model

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. Practising 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 programs on TV

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