What is stress? “Stress is a fact of nature in which forces from the inside or outside world affect the individual.” – http://www.Medicinet.com Stress is not bad. The way we deal with stress can lead to bad results though.

I’m providing a list of 10 tips to help deal with “everyday stress.” This is the stress that we all face from day to day. It’s the stress for which we don’t really feel like we need to go to a therapist, but the kind that still affects our everyday life.

1. Start your day fresh.

Mornings set the tone for your entire day. Set an alarm the night before. Some people like to set 2 alarms, one for a “morning heads up”, and a second one for a “get up.” Develop a morning routine that makes you want to wake up (i.e. start with a workout, a shower, a devotional, etc.) & ALWAYS eat breakfast.

2. Get a calendar.

Your time is valuable, so schedule it properly with a calendar. This can be an electronic calendar on your phone, a desk calendar, or a small calendar for your purse. Whatever you choose, get one and use it.

3. Have a routine.

Routines are like a double edged sword. On the one hand, you don’t want to be bored with the same daily routine. On the other hand, a routine increases your productivity. Create a routine that keeps your day moving at a pace that you can keep up with. The key to routines is knowing when to be flexible and when to stick to the plan. You should not be a slave to your routine.

4. Make a “To Do” list.

“To Do” lists are incredibly helpful tools for productivity and relieving stress. Your brain is like a computer. When your computer has too many tabs open in your internet browser, what happens? It slows down and sometimes even needs a reboot. Well, when your brain has too many tabs open, what do you think is going to happen? If you can keep a running “To Do” list in your phone or on a little notepad, you will be able to close some of those tabs in your brain.

5. Stay organized.

It has been proven that organized people are less stressed than those who are unorganized. In fact, scientists have found that clutter actually leads to stress. Becoming organized requires motivation and determination. It also is best to take baby steps to keep from adding more stress to your life. If you can slowly organize different areas of your life, and your stress level will be reduced.

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Part 1 has the first 5 tips, and part 2 will have the second 5 tips. Stay tuned! Next week, I will be posting “How to Deal with Stress – Part 2.”

Remember this little quote in the meantime, “I’m too blessed to be stressed!”

-L