Managing Stress

It's no mystery that stress is a part of our lives from time to time. And sometimes, it's more prevalent than others. As someone with a type A, always wanting to do everything at 110% kind of personality, I tend to create more stress than needed around certain things.

Alas, I've managed to find myself in some pretty stressful states lately. Last week I was feeling so stressed out that I was having headaches, got breakouts on my face, and feeling some tightening in my chest.

With two classes, 30 hours of work, running, and trying to have some semblance of a social life, I know that the next few months will be taxing no matter what. As a result, I'm looking at ways to stay happy and healthy during the peaks and valleys because I know I have to take care of myself first and foremost. 

I'm curious, what do you guys do to combat stress or prevent added stress?

Here are some things I do or am thinking of adding to my routine:

• Running - Hello sanity saver and adrenaline rush
• Yoga - Ommm. Can't argue with a good stretch.
• Acupuncture - Want to see what the hype is all about.
• Hitting up the farm/pumpkin patch - Fall produce, apple cider donuts, piles of pumpkins, trees changing colors; it all just feels right.
• Lattes and coffee shops
• Music - Revisiting itunes and making some new playlists, turning on Pandora more often. I forget how calming music can be.
• Laughter - I could use a bit more silly in my life.

Here's a list of 20 other free or really cheap ways to relieve stress. Concentrate on good things. That's probably my favorite of the list. 

A few random things I'm thankful for this week are: The return of Grey's Anatomy & Scandal, clean laundry, Synergy Kombucha (Trilogy flavor), cute babies, and not going crazy during taper time. Anything you're particularly thankful for this week?