Stress busters

　　As a college freshman at Valparaiso University, facing all the uncertainties of future academic and work life, I had the opportunity to meet with the president emeritus and chancellor. Audiences were rare. Sitting among a small group of nervous peers, we anxiously awaited the arrival of a man revered throughout the school, let alone the country and abroad, for his excellence in achievement and esteemed wisdom.

　　Dr. O. P. Kretzman arrived in a wheelchair, aging, with failing sight. You could have heard a pin drop. All too soon, the attention turned to us as he asked for questions from the group. Silence. I knew inside what an opportunity this was, so despite my fear, I got up the courage to break the ice and ask my question.

　　"What advice would you give new freshman as we face all the choices and uncertainties ahead of us?" His reply was simple and strong, "Take one bite out of the apple at a time." No more, no less. A perfect stressbuster for the moment and for all the moments of my life.

　　Now that I''ve been in the working world for 20 years, I''ve added a few more stressbusters to maintain a healthy life. Help yourself!

　　1. Change your priorities

　　2. Take stretch breaks

　　3. Step back and observe

　　4. Review your purpose

　　5. Get a massage

　　6. Leave five minutes earlier

　　7. See a comedy

　　8. Let go and let God!

　　9. Use affirmations

　　10. Organize your space

　　11. Share your feelings

　　12. Smell some flowers

　　13. Ask for acknowledgment

　　14. Listen to your intuition

　　15. Help someone else

　　16. Rub your feet and hands

　　17. Visualize positive outcomes

　　18. Take care of your health

　　19. Don''t judge; bless

　　20. Work in the garden

　　21. Create a budget

　　22. Be empathetic, not overly sensitive

　　23. Be still and meditate

　　24. Use time-saving technology

　　25. Carpool and enjoy the ride

　　26. Set aside time for planning

　　27. Count your blessings

　　28. Don''t forget, write it down

　　29. Simplify, simplify, simplify

　　30. Talk it out with co-workers

　　31. Eliminate destructive self-talk

　　32. Schedule play time

　　33. Change your environment

　　34. Go with your natural rhythms

　　35. Find an easy place to give your gifts

　　36. Fully express yourself

　　37. View problems as opportunities

　　38. Let go of "what ifs"

　　39. Be clear what''s expected of you

　　40. Ask the experts

　　41. Do your best and then stop

　　42. Trust Divine timing and order

　　43. Develop patience

　　44. Breathe deeply

　　45. Take a walk

　　46. Complete things

　　47. Take a nap

　　48. Sing a tune

　　49. Take a warm bath

　　50. Talk out your worries

　　51. Delegate

　　52. Talk with your mom or dad

　　53. Say no at times

　　54. Shift deadlines

　　55. Follow your passion

　　56. Tell a joke

　　57. Play out your fears

　　58. Drink lots of good water

　　59. Create a support system

　　60. Divide up big projects

　　61. Seek advice

　　62. Be gentle with yourself

　　63. Don''t "enable" others

　　64. Pray for openings

　　65. Tell the truth

　　66. Get more restful sleep

　　67. Forgive and move on

　　68. Prepare food ahead

　　69. Fix it or get a new one

　　70. Be prepared to wait

　　71. Don''t always be right

　　72. Focus on the moment

　　73. Take a lunch break

　　74. Read a book

　　75. Shift your attitude

　　76. Laugh each day

　　77. Develop self-esteem

　　78. Take vitamin supplements

　　79. Stop the "shoulds"

　　80. Avoid excess

　　81. Plan a special outing

　　82. See through illusions

　　83. Relax your muscles

　　84. Slow down and notice

　　85. Nurture good friends

　　86. Be in nature

　　87. Listen to music

　　88. Limit caffeine and sugar

　　89. Go on a fast or cleanse

　　90. Be spontaneous

　　91. Love your partner

　　92. Get some fresh air

　　93. Be pampered

　　94. Volunteer

　　95. Join help networks

　　96. Maintain good posture

　　97. Respect your limits

　　98. Exercise routinely

　　99. Go dancing

　　100. Sigh occasionally

　　101. Do yoga

　　102. Have a good cry

　　103. Make time for hobbies

　　104. Limit work time

　　105. Compromise/cooperate

　　106. Don''t procrastinate

　　107. Unplug your phone/TV

　　108. Relax your standards

　　109. Journal your thoughts

　　110. Take a vacation

　　111. Organize your desk

　　112. Develop flexibility

　　113. Allow for imperfections

　　114. Don''t overschedule

　　115. Expose your secrets

　　116. Build a strong body

　　117. Nurture your faith

　　118. Open a savings account

　　119. Take in the sun

　　120. Love and be loved

　　121. Get the facts

　　122. Work as a team

　　123. Smile - open your heart

　　124. Validate yourself

　　125. Daydream

　　126. Know God loves you!