Stress will never go away, but if you listen to the lesson it is sharing, heed its warning and address whatever it is that the stress is bringing to your attention, you may just find yourself feeling lighter and more energized. Your thoughts may turn from pessimistic to seeing hope within the situation. Perhaps you will make time to play with your dog, take a walk and truly listen to the crunch of the autumn leaves beneath your feet or stop from time to time to just breathe. Knowing what to do when life throws you an unwanted surprise can turn a stressful situation into a moment to practice accessing your inner calm.