The colour-strip trick
This is a very simple tip, yet it can cause a dramatic reduction in stress levels. I first saw it when visiting a vicar; while talking to him in his study I noticed a small piece of blue paper stuck onto his wall clock. Intrigued, I could not resist asking him what it was doing there, and he replied that it preserved his sanity. Whenever he was writing sermons or doing parish paperwork, often under pressure of time, he would often look at the clock to assess his progress. The blue strip reminded him to relax, calm down and, in his case, draw inspiration from his Creator. It stopped him feeling overwhelmed by pressure and made him realize what he was writing was probably not the most vital thing in the world at that moment. It gave him a sense of perspective.
I was amused by this, but forgot about it over the next few days. Some months later, when I was battling against a number of deadlines as well as juggling all my other commitments, I remembered the trick and tried it. In my case I wrote the word 'relax' on a yellow label and stuck it on my printer. This meant I would see it occasionally, rather than all the time, which would have happened if I had put it on my computer screen. To my amazement, it worked. I would forget it was there, would build up a head of steam and stress while writing, and then would see it. It made me stop, breathe properly for 30 seconds, relax and start again. I hit each deadline feeling as relaxed as I was when I started. The technique can be applied in a number of situations:
At work. If you have your own office, put a colour strip where you will see it occasionally. (This is why a clock is a good example.) If you see it all the time you will become used to it and will end up 'looking but not seeing'. If you

.Lifestyle
have an open-plan office, put it in part of your workspace, for example on the frame of a photograph or on the telephone.
In the car. This will remind you to calm down and accept what is happening on the road — whether it is a traffic jam or road rage. Put a strip on the passenger dashboard. This will not distract you while you are driving but you will see it enough times to remind you to relax.
At home. You can use it here to remind yourself to think about your partner or family. Have you shown them affection today? Are there issues that need to be sorted out before the end of the day? It will lead your thoughts away from the day's stresses and let you think about the important things in your life. Alternatively, if you are feeling exhausted and are hanging on for your holiday, use it to think about that and get through today, to reach your reward later.
The strip can be any colour, and have any word on it as long as it means something to you. Change it regularly so you do not get used to it. You will probably wonder why you have not done it before.
To calm down through the day, stick your favourite colour or word in a prominent position, such as on your computer, phone or clock. Change this often so you keep noticing it. When you do, stop and breathe deeply for 30 seconds before getting back to your tasks.

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