Stress Squashers
from my 11th grade Health Class
(on a mello yellow background! :) )
The following "stress squashers" are offered by Anthony Saville, professor
of educational administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas:
1. Play checkers, ping pong, or horseshoes [Editor's Note: or Lawn
Bowling]. They are much more relaxing than games other people play
such as "Who's got the biggest house or the highest priced car."
2. Develop a sense of the ridiculous. Learn to laugh at yourself
and at life's knocks. Humor melts stress.
3. Resign from the Supreme Court. It's OK to be concerned about
matters, but adding to your stress level through constant useless criticisms
of others - no way!
4. Learn to worry effectively. Hardly anyone breaks down from
overwork - only overworry! Your attitude and thoughts make you what
you are.
5. Don't hold on to dynamite after it is lit. Walk away from
unnecessary fights or quarrels - go wrestle a concrete telephone pole!
Try to discuss rather than argue.
6. Develop your self-esteem. Pin a medal on yourself for work
well done. Go out to eat or to a show. Don't confuse what you do with who
you are. Be positive about life.
7. Match your spending habits. Don't spend $20 on a 25-cent
problem. Put things in the right perspective. It may be important today,
but who cares five years from now? Five hundred years from now?
8. Don't buy an airline to visit Uncle Joe. You needn't buy
a cow to get a glass of milk, either. Don't make big deals out of
everything. Simplify life.
9. Imagine yourself on wheels. You'd never abuse your car like
you do your body. Watch your diet, exercise, get plenty of rest, get checkups.
10. Celebrate the temporary. Don't wait until you retire to
enjoy life. Celebrate now! Life is what happens to you while you
make other plans.
11. Ventilate with vigor. Get a babble buddy - someone who will
listen. Talk about your problems, your tensions and concerns. Get a pet
if people won't listen.
12. Stay away from leaping contests with kangaroos. Cut down
on your Type A personality. Don't compete with everyone all the time.
Don't compare yourself with others, only with realistic standards you've
set for yourself.
13. Take a trip on a rainbow. Look at all the beautiful things
around you on the way. It's really a lovely world if you take time to look
at it.
14. Take a rocket to Mars, or a trip to the garage, a cave,
or the basement, where you can be by yourself. Take time every day to relax,
to meditate, to be alone.
15. Take slowdown training. Don't be in a rush all the time.
Plan more time for everything including yourself, your work, and your recreation.
16. Be an electromagnet - not flypaper. Attract positive things
and people but release them easily and naturally if things are not right.
Don't be stuck with everything and everyone that's a nuisance or a burden.
17. Learn to daydream. It's OK to fantasize if you don't do
it all the time. Tomorrow's dream takes the stress out of today's burdens.
Page entered on August 10, 1998. SMILE!