Ten rules for beating stress Add to ...

   Travis Bradberry
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   Stress has a funny way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it,
   but how you respond is only half the battle. The secret to winning the
   war against stress lies in what you do when you aren’t working (and
   presumably aren’t stressed).

   While I have a hobby that I engage in regularly (surfing), it isn’t the
   antidote to stress you might think. Think about it: even if you have a
   hobby that you’re deeply passionate about, you aren’t going to spend
   more than 10 percent of your time outside of work doing it. It’s what
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   You need structure to use this other 90 percent wisely. Otherwise,
   you’ll fall into bad habits that can magnify your stress, rather than
   alleviate it. I structure my time by religiously following 10 rules
   when I’m not working.
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   Making yourself available to your work 24/7 exposes you to a constant
   barrage of stressors that prevent you from refocusing and recharging.
   If taking the entire weekend off handling work e-mails and calls isn’t
   realistic, try designating specific times on Saturday and Sunday for
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   messages on Saturday afternoon while your kids are getting a haircut
   and on Sunday evenings after dinner. Scheduling short blocks of time
   will alleviate stress without sacrificing availability.

   Rule #2: Minimize Chores
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   No time to exercise during the week? You have 48 hours every weekend to
   make it happen. Getting your body moving for as little as 10 minutes
   releases GABA, a soothing neurotransmitter that reduces stress.
   Exercise is also a great way to come up with new ideas. Innovators and
   other successful people know that being outdoors often sparks
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   You might be surprised what happens when you pursue something you’re
   passionate about during your time off. Indulging your passions is a
   great way to escape stress and to open your mind to new ways of
   thinking. Things like playing music, reading, writing, painting, or
   even playing catch with your kids can help stimulate different modes of
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   The weekend is a great time to spend a few moments planning your
   upcoming week. As little as 30 minutes of planning can yield
   significant gains in productivity and reduced stress. The week feels a
   lot more manageable when you go into it with a plan because all you
   have to focus on is execution.