These stress-busting techniques were shared at a workshop of HRDs from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East in September 2008:

• Writing (I sometimes do automatic writing – that is, writing without thinking what is coming out of the pen)
• Going to my religious centre to pray
• I go for long walks
• Meditating
• Talking to a therapist or my sister
• Writing articles on issues that I feel helpless about
• Playing with my children
• Dancing
• Spending romantic time with my partner
• Having a massage
• Sitting down quietly with a cup of tea
• I write to my networks for support
• Letting myself sleep for as long as I want
• Listening to music
• Shut the phone for few hours
• I give myself a prize

If you are a HRD with a suggestion for dealing with stress you would like to share, please contact Anne Rimmer at anne (AT) frontlinedefenders (DOT) org