Why Stress when you can get even!

by Samantha
(New York, NY)

Here is one tip to deal with stress, that I have found quite helpful. I am very tired of being stressed by actions of others or the way others try to make you feel. It took me a long time to realize that stress can easily be relieved by getting even with the sources of stress.

I was recently aggravated by a secretary in my doctor's office. Not only would she not put me through to the doctor, but had the nerve to tell me that she would make certain the doctor would phone me whenever he got around to it. I was not being a pest. This woman was too busy and disorganized, not to be able to handle more than one task for one person at a time.

Having no patience myself with her nonsense and tired of waiting to hear the results of a blood test, I decided to report this office to my city's Department of Health. After venting my anger at the sloppy procedures and the shoddy help this doctor was hiring, I felt that the city should give them a scare.

I wrote a scathing letter and did not sign it. Made it clear that possible litigation would be forthcoming.

It took about one month but the doctor fired this secretary and replaced her with a very nice competent one. So how to relieve stress? My advice is whenever you have stress or anger, diffuse it in writing to the highest possible authority. You will get even - and stress is gone.