Stress is the #1 killer in our country. It leads to heart problems, addictions, depression and early aging. A psychology teacher in California recently gave students a list of 101 ways to de-stress their lives. Some of the stuff on the list are bigger goals, some are more specific, and some are just common sense we've known since we were kids.  I felt that 101 ways may have been too many to process, and definitely way too many to print, so, here are fifteen of my favorites, not in any particular order.

  • Realize You Don't Know All The Answers

    Nobody does; don't be afraid to ask someone else for advice. No one knows everything, but everything is known, if you ask the right people.

  • Don't Rely on Your Memory.

    Write stuff down if you need to remember it. That way you won't kick yourself for forgetting.

  • Look Up To The Stars

    Never stop dreaming, it helps you put things in perspective. As Casey Kasem always said "keep your feet on the ground, but keep reaching for the stars."

  • Say "No" More Often.

    Don't over-commit or over-extend yourself, no matter the reason.You can't be everything to everyone. Remember to remember you are just one person.

  • Break Up Large Tasks

    Turn one big tasks into several smaller ones. It allows you to make more, smaller goals, that are easier to accomplish. And when you reach those goals, allow yourself to glow over it.

  • Simplify Your Meals.

    You don't have to be a gourmet cook every meal. After all, who are you trying to impress?

  • Stop Trying To "Fix" Other People

    You can't change other people, they must want to change themselves. You can only change yourself.

  • Pay Attention to Your Breathing, and Stretch.

    Pay attention to the signals your body gives you. That's kind of what yoga is.Controlling your body is controlling your environment. Controlling your environment is controlling what stresses you.

  • Vizualize Yourself Winning.

    In order to be it, you must first see it. Your body follows the path that the mind is set, so set it on a positive path.

  • Freely Praise Other People

    Finding the good in others will help make you feel better about YOURSELF. It will help you to release the negative, "poison" within by finding good, instead of looking for bad.

  • Strive For Excellence, Not Perfection

    Always strive to do the best you can on every task, but realize you are not perfect. Only one person was ever perfect, and he died over 2000 years ago.

  • Get Up 15 Minutes Earlier

    But make sure you get enough sleep. One of the biggest stresses in life is the rush of arrival. So give yourself a little more time to get where you are going with out rushing.

  • Be Ready For Rain

    Always be ready for the worst case scenario, that way if it happens, you will be prepared to handle it.

  • Unclutter Your Life

    Get rid of things, and people, that don't make your life easier or better. You don't need things to be any more complicated than they already are.

  • Find Time to Play Every Day

    "All work and no play makes you a dull boy." Never has a statement been more true. So find a little time for some fun in your life, it'll keep you sharp.

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