The Less Stress Checklist

There’s nothing worse than having to dash to the post office when you’re already rushed.

In case you forgot to swing by the ATM in time, this back-up stash will hold you over until your next trip to the bank.

Keep it ready for those times when you just want to escape for a little while.

Buy a compact, portable umbrella, one that’s tiny enough to fit in your bag, so you’re never caught in a downpour without a cover.

The quickest way to feel miserable is to wear something you’re not comfortable in.

Pack a granola bar or trail mix to tide you over between meals and stave off grumpiness.

Store it somewhere safe and easy to remember, like a lockbox in the closet.

And keep an extra set of them, too. A basket by the door or a hook on the kitchen wall are easy grab-and-go spots.

Include a Band-Aid and a small bottle of pain reliever for unexpected blisters and headaches.

Invest two minutes every morning. You’ll thank yourself later when you come home to a neat, restful space.

Have at least one friend who lives in your neighborhood for those times when you lock yourself out or discover you don’t have enough eggs halfway through cake-making.

Skip the late-night TV. Your body will thank you.

Get out the door on time for once, or at least at an easy, relaxed pace.

Why so serious? Find humor in the hectic situations that might stress others.