Tips for Reducing Stress

You can't always avoid stress, but it is possible to avoid a complete meltdown when stressful situations arise. We asked women on the iVillage message boards their best strategies for defusing difficult situations and staying calm. Some of our favorite responses:

Tips for Reducing Stress.

• 1. Breathe deep. Just sit still for a few moments, be present and breathe.

• 2. Laugh! Rent a funny movie or call up that hilarious friend.

• 3. Do gentle yoga while watching the sunrise.

• 4. Get some exercise and work up a sweat. I spent a whole weekend cutting up a tree in my backyard to blow off steam!

• 5. Clean up your act. Go on a stress-busting cleaning rampage.

• 6. Meditate. Breathe, clear your mind, focus on an image or a chant.

• 7. Hug someone. Recruit the boyfriend, the husband, or the kids.

• 8. Try scrapbooking or another soothing hobby -- many women swear by the calming, repetitive motions of knitting.

• 9. Talk it out. Seek out the support of people who will listen.

• 10. Visit the sauna. There are no distractions, which makes the sauna a great place to meditate. Ahhh.

( weather.com )