Rules against stress

My rules of thumb as preventive measures of stress: 

• Be kind to everyone, without exemption. Listen genuinely.
• Suspend judgment.
• Set reasonable deadlines and work within that framework. Work passionately.
• Reward myself whenever I do a ‘good job’.
• Set limits. Say ‘Yes!’ to principle-centered important matters and ‘No’ to time-wasters. Prioritize.
• Be healthy. Eat, sleep, and exercise.
• Pray intentionally.
• Delay gratification, then play.
• Learn responsibly.
• Love unconditionally
• Express gratitude.
• When situations seem out of control, reframe. When we can’t change it, accept it.

We cannot change our whole personality but we can modify our attitudes and behaviors. It is always a matter of choice with the right amount of motivation.