In last week's blog entry, we discussed some of the ways you can cope with
stress. But what if you could prevent stress from happening in the first place?
Wouldn't it be nice to live a stress-free life? While that might not be entirely
possible, there are steps you can take to prevent most of the stress in your
life. In this week's blog, we'll discuss some of the best ways to prevent
stress.

One of the best ways to prevent stress is to take control of your life. How
is that possible? First, you need to buy a planner. If you
already have a planner, use it! So many people carry planners around and write
down appointments, but what about the rest of your life? It may sound time
consuming, but making a daily schedule can prevent much of the stress you're
experiencing. Just think about all the times you thought you could remember
everything you needed to do that day and then you remembered a forgotten task.
It's enough to make anyone's day stressful. A planner not only helps you
remember, but it ensures everything gets done in a timely manner.

Another way to ensure stress stays at bay is to say no. No is a powerful word
that gives you control over your life. The next time someone asks you to do
something last minute, politely turn them down. Explain to them that you've made
previous commitments and aren't available. Tell them that if they give you
enough notice, you'd be happy to help out in the future.

Last, but not least, remember the importance of me time. We spoke about it
last week, but it really is worth mentioning a second time. When you write out
your schedule, make sure there is time for your favorite activity. Your body and
mind will thank you.

I hope these tips help you cut at least some of the stress out of your life.
You can't escape stress all together, but it doesn't have to rule your life.