It's not the something you do. It's that you do something.
— adage
This is, without a doubt, the most important concept to understand in order to deal with stress. If you do not get this idea, you're likely to become discouraged.
The only thing that's important in managing stress, especially immediate stress — like too much to do at work — is that you do something in response to the stress. What you do is much less important than that you do something. So often we worry and fret about knowing exactly the right relaxation exercise or breathing technique, thinking, If only I could find exactly the right way to respond to this stressful situation I would be okay.
When all the time the only necessary thing is to take charge and do something, almost anything will do just fine. And, to continue the paradox, often the best thing to do is to find a way to do nothing.
Are you facing a huge pile of work on Monday morning and feeling overwhelmed?
Pause a moment, breathe, and say to yourself, I have enough time to do everything I need to do today. Or stand and go to the window for a moment, breathe deeply, and recall the joy in your life. Or stretch your arms and invoke your spiritual practice. Or visit the rest room for a moment of quiet reflection alone. Or gain perspective on this overwhelming moment by closing your eyes to recall your past — where you've come from — and then project the future — your goals and hopes.
Do these, or whatever you decide to do at the moment — as often as you need to throughout the day.
— David Kundtz in Quiet Mind