It's Tuesday--DO SOMETHING!

Yes, all, it's Tuesday, that day when I look for things for us all to do. Things that will help the planet and our society and our fellow people.

And today, I'm going to ignore all of that and focus on what we can do for ourselves.

My life right now is very stressful, as I'm sure all our lives are. It's hard to work enough hours because there's not enough work to go around. It's hard to watch friends struggle with their own financial woes. It's hard to go through each day when what you hear all the time is how bad everything is. So today, let's focus on what we can do for ourselves to reduce the stress.

• Go for a walk. Even if it's raining. Just go outside and walk around the block or the property or the neighborhood. Physical exercise, even low-impact, low-aerobic exercise like leisure walking, increases our sense of well-being. It also leads to lovely things like running into a neighbor you haven't seen in a while or coming upon a breathtaking scene you wouldn't have found, but for your little walk.
• Turn off the TV. Give yourself one hour in the evening without media. No TV, no radio, no newspaper. Just hang out with your partner or your pet or yourself and listen to the traffic outside. Read a book. Knit. Anything that doesn't involve the roller coaster of stress that is our current world.
• Cook a good meal. Stop by the grocery store on your way home and pick up some favorites. Focusing on the fun and peace of it, cook yourself a nice dinner.
• Invite a friend. Invite a friend to take that walk or indulge in that media-free hour or eat that lovely home-cooked dinner. Friends and family are stress-relievers. And if yours aren't? Don't invite those ones.
• Pray, meditate, or just spend some time in the dark. Whatever your religion (or lack thereof) or your life view, ten minutes of alone time can do wonders. Sit in a comfortable spot, close your eyes, and engage in whatever meditative practice works for you. Pray the rosary, use a focus and breathe rhythmically, practice transcendental meditation--anything to give yourself ten minutes of peace and contemplation.

There you go! Some things to do this week that help the planet by helping you keep your sanity. And they're zero carbon and easy on the purse, too!