Positive ways to manage stress

There have been times when life gets out of control and the stress becomes overwhelming. These are my stress busting tips that have helped me get through the tough times. There is no specific order here and the photos are a mish mash.

1- Listen to feel good music.

2- Pet your furry friend. Especially after a hard day, those little guys know how to melt stress away.

3- Volunteer. Nothing increases the feel goods like when you've given back to your neighbor, community, or church.

4- Look at your to do list and complete something. Bask in the satisfaction of a job done (or well done but at least done!)

5- Work out the stress in a run or at the gym. A solid sweat session can help get rid of those negative vibes.

6- Hang out with a friend. I used to go to Starbucks and drink an iced tea. We would chat for a few hours and I would feel loads better.

7- Look at green. It's a positive reinforcing color. And if you have to, buy fresh cut flowers. Everyone needs a little TLC during stressful times.

8- Laugh! Laughter is one of the best medicines for difficult times. YouTube has some hilarious videos or watch your favorite funny movie. Laugh as much as you can.

Those are my tips and I would like to remind you that stressful situations can't always be controlled. These tips will help you manage your stress levels but never forget to seek positive reinforcements.