Remember George's father on Seinfeld? He tried to relieve stress by yelling, "Serenity now!" It didn't work for Mr. Costanza or for me either. Nor do tantrums, eating a half-gallon of ice cream, or maxing out my credit card. I have found a few other things that work for me and keep my head out of the freezer--usually.

Material Girl
My mother taught me to sew, but before she ever let me work on an actual machine, she instructed me in the fine art of hand embroidery. I started on pillowcases. As I practiced, the time flew, my fingers grew nimble, and my poor mother caught a break. It was a win-win situation. Since then, I have picked up knitting, crocheting, and cross-stitching. While doing these crafts, I find my breathing slows, and my mind--usually caroming about like a pinball--quietens. A miracle, really.