- Plan to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night.
- Avoid coffee, tea, cola or anything caffeinated several hours before bedtime.
- Plan to get regular physical activity most days of the week – it's a great stress reliever and sleep inducer.
- Wear earplugs if outside noises keep you from a peaceful sleep.
- Make your bedroom comfortable – lower the temperature on your thermostat, get curtains that block out the light well, buy a better mattress for maximum support.
- Do any of your morning preparation at least one hour before your planned bedtime.
- Give yourself time to unwind before getting into bed.
Use a calendar or electronic date book
A calendar can be a great way to stay abreast of upcoming appointments, birthdays and other events. Place your calendar where you will see it every day and keep it updated. Or use a computer or electronic date book that can send you reminders ahead of time.
- Write down any appointments on your calendar. Missing an appointment can be stressful or even costly.
- Put in a reminder a few days before your actual appointment.
- Mark down any upcoming deadlines at work, but use a separate calendar that you keep at your workplace.
- Schedule one morning a week to do household chores and use the afternoon or evening to take a long bath, read a book or just relax.
Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid stress throughout your day. For more information on staying healthy in stressful situations, read dietitian Alyssa Rolnick’s article on Healthy eating under stress.
Posted April 1, 2008
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