How I Deal with Stress and Anxiety

I was doing a little research tonight and ran across a website with the following tips for managing stress or anxiety.  I will admit, I have more than a little stress in my life.  I see a professional counselor once a month to "let it all out", "keep the edge off", "let the tears fall", etc.  This helps me keep things in perspective and also allows me to voice my emotions without bothering everyone else with them.  These 12 tips are vital.  As an occupational therapist, I learned most of these in school and regularly recommend them to clients.  I follow every one of them on nearly a daily basis.  I just wanted to share incase anyone else struggled with stress or anxiety!!  Enjoy!!

1. Get the facts
Don’t assume or mind-read. Imagination can play havoc with the worry spiral.
2. Pray
If you do this already, you know how effective prayer can be in combating worry, and if you don’t, it’s time you found out.
3. Don’t watch too much TV or read too many newspapers and magazines
if current events have you stressed, or if you get caught up in your imagination...
4. Use humor
If I didn’t use humor myself, I’d be in big trouble some days.
5. Touch and be touched
There’s nothing like a hug or pat on the back to make your worries melt away.
6. Have faith
There’s an old saying that, when fear knocked on the door and faith opened it... there was no one there.
7. Don’t sweat the small stuff
This has been on my list of stress busters for a long time. If you're going to worry, and nothing can stop you, at least worry about something really big.
8. Hire experts to guide you
I'm an OT...and I hire a counselor to help me!!  But, also, I hire someone to do my yard, someone to clean my house 2x a month, and someone to watch my kids.  NOTHING WRONG WITH IT!!
9. Don’t drink excessively or use other drugs as a means of making your worries go away
Worries become worse when you alter your state of mind with alcohol or drugs.  (but, Chocolate makes it all better)!!  :-)
10. Never worry alone
Good friends are of paramount importance. When you share your sorrows with a friend, you cut them in half, and when you share your joy, you double it. When you share your worries, they almost disappear!
11. List three things that you are thankful for right now at this very moment.
It’s hard to worry when you have an “attitude of gratitude,” but even gratitude takes steps to achieve. Stop right now and list three things you are grateful for today, and notice how good it makes you feel!
12. JOURNAL!!
The counselor that I see STRONGLY recommends journaling.  And, as much as I drag my feet in doing it...it works.  Something about writing it down just helps the worry to melt away!!

Adapted, but copied from: Worried? Read This.
ADD and anxiety often go hand in hand. Here, 10 ways to help you get a grip.
by Sandy Maynard  http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1987.html