stress reduction menu

Most of us probably don't spend much time thinking about stress--we just react to it.  But I've been thinking about stress a lot lately since I'm trying to get control of one of my main coping mechanism: over-eating.  If stress-reduction techniques came with full-disclosure labels on the meny as we picked stress-compensators from a menu, here's what it might look like:

• Television-watching: an entertaining distraction, and gives you something to talk about at work
• cons: advertising, recurring cable bills, sedentary, mono-culture (lack of diversity)

• cigarette smoking: chemically calming, portable, cool factor (with back-lighting)
• cons: lung disease, tooth damage, social stigma

• exercise: cardio-vascular health
• cons: sports injuries, sweaty clothes

• drinking tea: chemical stimulant, warming on a cool day
• cons: caffeine vs. heart

• reading (books, magazines, comics):
• cons:

• hobbies (cars, trains, gardening, cooking, ...)
• cons: expense

• eating: saving money (cooking at home)
• cons: weight gain, allergies, expense (restaraunts)

Now with the downsides, there is usually an off-setting factor, for instance if you want to avoid advertising on TV, you can watch videos on DVD (or streaming over a Netflix player.)  Or with tea, you can find a non-caffeinated herbal tea. (link to Tulsi Tea...)