The Box - options for managing stress

	A	B	C
1	The Box	Options for Managing Stress	Connections (people, places, things)
2	Suggestions, ideas, resources	Information (website, contact, etc.)	Notes

3	Take 3-5 minutes to put everything down and listen (connect) to a great song (could be calm or could be energetic/upbeat). Go back to what you were doing.
4	Dinner night - Schedule time to have a rotating dinner schedule with some classmates - choose the same day/time each week (or every other week) and share hosting a meal together.
5	Get a puzzle ... make it an ongoing project (little bits at a time). Pick an image that is inspirational, mindless, or just fun.
6	Good News! ... literally, if you just need a reminder that good things are happening in the world, go to this site.	www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
7	Bake something good (healthy) ... then share it with others!
8	Real grass putt-putt golf	www.edinamn.gov/786/Putting-Course	Centennial Lakes Park (Edina)
9	Virtual breakfast/lunch/dinner or coffee with a friend over Facetime, Skype or Zoom.
10	Try writing a ten-minute letter to a friend or family member! Grab some paper, set a timer for ten minutes, and write until the time is up. No worries if it is incomplete -- send it anyway. Your friend or family member will appreciate it!
11	Exchange a favorite recipe with a family member
12	Paint night		Some instructions are FREE online, e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W01x2EutEqI
13	Clear some things out of your closet and donate them
14	Patrick Stewart reads Sonnets daily to his followers - beautiful!	Follow Patrick Stewart on Facebook	Follow him - Make it so!
15	Take a nature walk! If you want to get out of the cities (but not have to travel too far), the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge or North Oaks trails are great!	https://www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota_valley/	This is a great way to clear your mind! Focus on the natural beauty instead of all the things you have to get done.
16	Cook a meal or meal prep with a friend
17	Connect with an old friend via message, phone call, video call, etc. Or tell someone you are thinking/care for them. It will maintain the relationsip and make you both smile.
18	take care of some plants :)
19	Sing with friends
20	Call a family member or friend
21	Make a visit to a local pet store to spend time with cats/dogs :)
22	Schedule a routine date (coffee or a meal) with your favorite person/people and hold yourself to it.
23	Volunteer with a community organization that aligns with your interests and passions		It can help remind you of why you're working so hard and put a lot of your stress in perspective, at least for a little while
24	Watch a movie in a dark room with no distractions
25	learn something creative; learn a chord of a song you like	tabs are usually available everywhere	a journey of a million miles begins with a single step or something
26	Send a quick instant message of appreciation and/or encouragement to a friend.		Paying forward a little care is a little Dopamine/Oxytocin rush!
27	Go to Karaoke nights with friends!
28	Discover some new music!		Spotify + apple music both have free "discover" features
29	Connect with someone you have fallen out of touch with
30	If you have children, take some time to play with them.
31	Go adventuring and pick a new location to vist.
32	Study with or next to a friend- we are all in this together (:
33	Get involved in a church/spiritual group
34	Lake time - hang out on the water
35	Game night with friends
36	Give mom a call		I think you learn more and more as you get older that mom really does know best :)
37	Contact a friend and share your gratitude		The idea is to tell a friend you appreciate having them in your life and share your gratitude it helps keep you grounded and reflects on your special connection
38	Snuggle or play with your pets
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