What do you do to calm your stress? How do you chill out, mellow down or just plain relax?

Its political silly season with the Presidential elections and I'm tuned in to a radio talk show where the host is shouting out his message to get my attention regarding the difference between candidates. Lots of points and counterpoints to listen to and digest. I can only vote once so I don't have any control over the outcome.

Periodically the station blares an update on hurricane Ike and the impending disaster for today and tomorrow. I am concerned (remotely) for the mass of people in Texas who will be hurt in some way by this massive storm. Again, no control.

At the same time I'm watching CNBC and Bloomberg (internet) for the movement of oil and gas prices....due to the immediate effect of hurricane Ike.

Whoa!!!

Do you see what I've loaded on myself? One of these events at one time would be enough to handle....but, no, I have put three of them on my back all at one time!! And then there are the conflicts in expectations and hopes I have for how the elections work out long term.

Not to mention that I view the oncoming tragedy of Ike from two positions. One side of me cares for the people and what they will suffer. On the other hand I'm hoping that oil prices will rise because of Ike. I am an investor and I'm selling out a large position in energy at the end of trading today. I want the highest price possible to maximize profits. All I can do now is watch and wait...no control.

Information overload from radio,TV, internet, newspapers, magazines, books and your next door neighbor pound on us all every day. Then there are all these conflicting thoughts and actions we deal with daily. Most of our thoughts are about things we can't control. Many of our actions will only, at best, influence the events in our lives.

The result can be STRESS.

Whenever I notice that I'm up tight I have several things that I can do to calm down....and they work!

First, cut out the overload!!

Turn off all electronic media. No TV, radio and no internet. This gives immediate space in my brain for my thoughts with no intrusion of new information to worry about. What a relief! I will even stop reading the newspaper for a week at a time. When I stop watching or listening to news for a week my stress goes DOWN!!

Next, take control!!

Do something with your hands, your body. These are the things you have control over. Working around home, the yard, doing odd jobs, creating art, writing will give you peace of mind while you gain control and acheivement.

Finally, work it out!!

Exercise in every shape and form works out the stress and produces endorphins which relax and refresh. I like to take "spirit" walks or hikes in the mountains. I call them spirit walks because they really refresh my outlook on most everything. And the effects are long lasting...sometimes a week or more.

When I can't afford the time for a long hike then I get in a bike ride of an hour or less. Physically it helps my conditioning while providing a mental break away from all that electronic stuff.

Next time you are feeling overwhelmed and ticked off by events or life in general remember these three steps:

• Cut out the overload of incoming info
• Take control of something you have control over
• Work it out

There are many things that help relieve stress and these three things I believe have worked best for me. Try them.

So long gotta sign off and take a bike ride---------