As they say in the classics, “S_it happens”. How you choose to respond to that determines whether or not you become stressed.

It doesn’t matter how well organized you are, what systems you have in place. For one reason or another at some stage something will go wrong – Murphy’s Law.

At that stage how you personally deal with it dictates whether or not you give yourself an ulcer or send your blood pressure through the ceiling. Here’s Leechy’s seven top stress busters, you can develop your own – just give it a little thought:

1. Exercise

If it all goes pear-shaped I literally walk away from it, do some exercise and come back to the issue with a renewed vigour. Exercise can be very therapeutic and cleansing.

2. Talk about it

Whether it is talking to a friend or speaking to a counsellor, a problem shared is a problem halved. Just having someone listen to you whilst you vent, even if they can’t do anything, is often enough to get you over a hump and allow you to calm down.

3. Keep a diary

Writing things down and expressing your feelings (as per the previous point), is often enough to help you control your stress response (i.e. Elevated blood pressure, heart rate, etc.). By the time you’ve finished writing down your thoughts chances the stress you’ve been experiencing will have passed.

4. Play with your kids

Kids don’t care if a major deal has gone sour or if the mortgage rates have gone through the roof, they just enjoy being with the mum and dad. Seeing the innocence of a child and enjoying the interaction with them will help you get perspective and focus on what is really important in life.

5. Did I mention exercise?

There’s no better stress buster in my mind!

6. Laugh and have some fun

Treat yourself and do something nice for yourself. This might be something as simple as catching up with a friend for a coffee, getting a massage or splurging out on a family trip away. Life is too short to waste time worrying – remember you’re here for a good time, not a long time.

7. Take a hot bath or a shower

After you get back from exercising there’s nothing more relaxing than a soak in the tub or a hot shower to relax you. It’s simple, cost effective and the affects are immediate.

Sure, some of the above are short term cures, but in many instances we allow what “may” happen to gain traction when in actual fact what we’re most worried about often doesn’t eventuate so we spend time worried about nothing in the interim period.

Remember you can only control the controllables and deal with issues when they arise – worry about what “may” or “may not” happen is time wasted.