10 stay cool tips

Whether you\'re moving home, having boss troubles, or just plain \'stressed out\', try these tips to stay cool when the heat is on.

Make a list

When you feel like your brain is about to explode, make a to-do list of every single thing you need to do or want to accomplish no matter how general (get a pay rise) or how tiny (get shoes re-heeled) This works well if you have a big project like moving house to tackle, but also works for day-to-day stresses. Instead of swirling around in your head, these worries will now \'live\' on paper, not in your mind. Worried that you\'ll lose the paper? Send an email to yourself.

Sex it up

While sex might not even make it on your \'to do\' list, studies have shown that your body produces chemicals during sex that can make your stress levels drop for up to a week.

Limit your alcohol intake

While many of us turn to the bottle in times of trouble, it can actually be counterproductive if you\'re feeling stressed. Alcohol is a depressant which slows the brain down, so even though one or two drinks can leave you feeling chilled, more alcohol can bring on anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Which brings us to...

Get some sleep

You don\'t need scientific evidence to tell you that when you don\'t have enough sleep you feel exhausted, accident-prone, irritable and forgetful. Lack of sleep can also make your body crave food even when you\'re full, which in itself can bring on more stress.

Avoid the takeaway

Since your body craves foods that are high in fat, salt, sugar and caffeine when you\'re sleep-deprived, you miss out on essential nutrients. Eating like this for even just a few days in a row can compromise your ability to deal with stress. If you feel the need to nibble when you\'re stressed, stick to nuts, seeds, veggie sticks and dried or fresh fruit.

It\'s not all about you

Has your boss snapped at you or a coworker been rude? Try not to take things personally. Think about when you snap at people - are you usually mad at the person who receives the brunt of your anger? Probably, no. They just happen to be there when your frustration reaches the breaking point. It\'s the same when you are on the receiving end - you\'re just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It\'s not the end of the world

Try to put things in perspective and see the bigger picture. Think about what really matters in the long run. Does this? Annoying as they may be, train delays and running out of milk for your morning tea are not major catastrophes. If you can see past most daily stresses, you\'ll see that getting upset is hardly worth it.

The pen is mightier than the sword

Feel like you\'re about to blow? Studies have shown that letting your rants and rages out on to paper either by a journal or a letter to yourself is beneficial for both your mental and physical health.

Exercise your demons

If writing isn\'t your thing, try exercising your frustrations away. Doing a physical activity whether its a work out or kick-boxing  while focusing on what is making you angry will help relax both body and mind.

It won\'t last forever

\'This too shall pass\' is a Buddhist mantra that is great to repeat in times of stress. Think back to something that was a catastrophe a year, a month or even a week ago. Still a catastrophe? Probably not, and whatever is troubling you now will soon be part of the past.

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