Stress buster recommendations

Yes, but like I have written, it must incorporate all.

TSP

I'm not preaching or trying to convert anyone, just paraphrasing a well-known book:

God will keep those in perfect peace whose minds are focused on Him.

Whenever I'm in a stressful situation, I choose to remember that God loves me and that "all things work together for good..."

Ralph

There are 2 sides to a stress : (a)Eustress and (b) Distress. Distress is what causes the problem and Eustress is conveting a stress into positive side and then making good out of it.

One way would be to convert negativity into positive feelings but it may not always be possible...so what do you.

Suggested methods :

a. Take Deep breaths and do slow inhalation and exhalation when you feel stress is around you. Even otherwise it is recommended. If one could do it in early mornings all the better.

b. Do "Shavasana" - Lie on your back on the floor. Use a thick blanket or bedsheet for this purpose. Do not lie on your bed. Spread your hands on the floor roughly about 45 degrees away from your body. Spread your legs and the distance from one feet to another should be about 1 feet. Be relaxed, do not strain your muscles. Close your eyes, do shalow breathing and focus on some sound source. You may put on light music such as Celtic Music which will soothe your nerves. Do it for about 10 - 15 minutes daily or when you want to.

You might want to read on Countering Stress through Yoga.

You MUST keep a sense of humor and perspective.

If it's not truly life or death, take a step back and remove your emotional tie to the situation.
Sometimes you have to be dispassionate for your own sanity. Consider the "so what" angle and it's outcomes. You can find the kernels of what you are truly invested in this way and maybe change those feelings.

You also have to be able to see humor around you, and enjoy it. At work it's mostly Dilbert cartoons. Project teams have to have permission to share levity with one another. It's part of the bonding process to laugh together. Otherwise work becomes very dreary.

Exercise is essential. Get up & stretch, do cubicle yoga, walk, run, something. It makes for positive hormones that will help you destress from the inside out.

Recognize, reward, celebrate the little things. In a stressful situation, see and call attention to small steps forward. Recognize team members and do everything you can to support others. In other words, be positive even if nobody else is. If you don't feel positive, fake it till you make it.

Sometimes you just have to break down and bring in sweet treats. People get really crabby if their blood sugar is down. This happens when people are working longhours and not getting breaks. Bringing in nice fruit & cheeses is just as good as doughnuts too.

Vent somewhere you won't get in trouble for venting, or that it won't come back to haunt you.

Go into the woods have a nice cathartic, old fashioned, primal scream.

Keep a journal so your mind is purged of its worries and you may find you sleep better.

Get plenty of sleep and water.

Do at least one thing every day to make sure you feel like you have taken action on something you can control.

Go have some totally self-indulgent fun.
Get a hobby!
Take vacation time.