<<Disclaimer:  Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

                 Stress-Reducing Lifestyle Changes
                 ---------------------------------
              by Elizabeth Sledden Dybell, Ph.D., P.C.

The following list of suggested alternatives were given by Dr. Dybell
at a Coping Seminar for patients with Crohn's, Colitis, and other
chronic diseases.  They are certainly applicable to celiacs!
(Courtesy of the Houston Celiac-Sprue Support Group; reprinted with
permission.  Dr. Dybell can be reached at 6001 Savoy, Suite 208,
Houston, TX 77036, phone 713-974-2884.)

 1. Exercise (regularly).

 2. Relax sometimes - if you don't know how, learn how!

 3. Develop a good self-concept and sense of importance.

 4. Balance where you meet your needs.  Get positive strokes from
    various sources.

 5. Get rid of your anger, old and new.

 6. Build a support system - family, friends, and support group.

 7. Allow yourself to receive from others sometimes.

 8. Know that the source of good is sometimes within yourself.  Take
    responsibility and blame for the good things, too.

 9. Develop a new attitude about yourself.  Separate who you are from
    what illness you have.

10. Make decisions.  Take risks and learn to fail at a decision or a
    task.  No longer can you fail as a person.

11. Expect less of others and yourself.  You can also decide to learn
    to live with less from others and yourself.

12. Accept your limitations - inherent and imposed.  Learn to make
    mistakes and tolerate imperfection.

13. Exert control when you can, and give up control in situations
    where you have none.

14. Learn to delegate, motivate, and tolerate.

15. Build a rewarding environment for yourself.  Ask for what you
    want, teach others to give it, and tell people when they do
    things you like.  Be direct.  There is no such thing as
    mind-reading or loving enough.

16. Learn to appreciate yourself and what you do.  Pat yourself on
    the back.

17. Make realistic short-term goals and sensible comparisons to
    others  Try to compete only within yourself.

18. Change your attitude.  Think positively.

19. Don't set yourself up for disappointment by trying to read other
    people's minds or expecting them to read yours.

20. Put some routine, order, structure, and/or predictability in your
    life.

21. Re-evaluate or re-approach religion and awaken your spiritual
    life; pray.

22. Learn to communicate:

    * Tell people when they embarrass, disappoint, hurt, take
      advantage of, or let you down.

    * Tell people how what they do or don't do affects your ability
      to do your job.

    * Be aware of your timing.  Cool down and come back later.

    * Have time limits for these communications.

    * Provide alternatives.

23. Be selfish sometimes!

24. Requisition some space.

25. Budget time and energy - personally and at work.  Learn to set
    priorities and stick to them.

26. Set limits for yourself.  Use time management skills.

27. Act, don't always react.  Exhibit internal and external control.

28. Think while you are feeling.  Feel while you are thinking.

29. Find somebody to listen.