There is a difference between REDUCING stress and MANAGING stress. When we talk about MANAGING stress, it means that we already have it. Reducing stress is about taking actions to keep stress from happening — to keep it from entering your front door.

This issue is devoted to helping you discover, try, and apply ways to take action to keep your stress levels in a positive zone.

Here are some options to consider:

1. Control your thinking about the future. Many people add stress to their lives by worrying about...a lot of stuff. If you can shift your "worry" to "anticipation," it can help you focus on preparation and taking actions to minimize the visions that have caused you to worry. If you find yourself worrying about something, translate that to actions that can minimize the worry.
2. Change your expectations. Many of us suffer from having unrealistic expectations about how much we can do and in what time frames. Sure, we all have tons of stuff on our to-do lists, but, there are only a finite number of hours in the day. By shifting our expectations to realistically assess what we can accomplish, then focus on those tasks, we can feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
3. Honor your priorities. A lot of stress comes from looking at that list and lamenting what you're NOT working on. To reduce your stress, focus your effort on what is truly important, and make sure that ball is rolling forward on you most critical or priority tasks.
4. Avoid confusing activity with result. If you knock off 25 "easy" emails, or empty the dishwasher, yet you haven't started that mission-critical task, you will still be in the same backlog and stress level you were at the beginning of your day or week.
5. Let go of 'perfect.' Perfection is the enemy of progress. Striving for perfection equates to enabling stress. People who know me know that I use the saying "Done is Better than Perfect." And it is, especially when you're looking for ways to reduce your stress. Excellence, or 90% done, means "go."
6. Build reserves. Having reserves in place avoids last minute stress. We're not just talking about money. You can build reserves of time, supplies, appointments, resources. Consider these:
   1. Fill the gas tank when you reach ¼ full.
   2. Make sure there is an extra supply of toner in your copier.
   3. Have extra batteries.
   4. Get your car inspected two weeks before it is due.
   5. Backup your computer.
   6. Give your trusted neighbor an extra key to the house.
   7. Do your taxes before April 15
7. Detach. Give yourself a break from being connected 24/7. It's like having 10 windows open on your computer screen. It is exhausting to look at all of them. Turn the PDA off. Shut your inbox when working on a project. Play with your kids without thinking about work. Work with full focus without thinking about personal stuff.
8. Recognize what you can control and what you can't. Stop trying to control others. 'Nuff said.

Here are some tips to help you reduce your "e-stress":

1. Stop connecting to your email within an hour of going to sleep. Seriously, what GOOD can come of you checking your email as you're turning your light out? It will be there in the morning when you are rested and alert — that's the better time to handle it.
2. Resist the perceived need to respond immediately. In other words, stop checking your email incessantly. It puts unnecessary pressure on you. Handling emails within 2 hours of receipt will more than satisfy your emailing fans.
3. Turn off the dings and flashes. In addition to interrupting you, the trigger can be a stressor. You hear it, you tighten up—who's emailing me now? Go into you inbox when it fits in your schedule, not when "it" shows up.

Five Tips to Overcome the "Overwhelm" (20 second read)

Out of Sight—Out of Stress (15 second read)

Are You Doing the Right Stuff? (20 second read)

"I'm very happy with my life. I am what I am. I don't worry about anything that I can't control. That's a really good lesson in life." — Tom Watson

"Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due." — William Ralph Inge

Here's your challenge for the month:

Let go of something causing you stress. Choose one thing for focus:

1. Is it something in your control? If so, take an action to change it. If it is NOT in your control? Work to shift our attitude toward it.
2. Shift worry to preparation. If you're concerned about something in the future, the more you prepare, the more you'll shift stress about it to positive anticipation.
3. Just "let it go." (Sometimes that's allll you need to do.)