How to escape stress without the use of narcotics, alcohol or marathon television viewing

The past few days have been, shall we say, "trying" at best. It's all work-related, but that doesn't make it any less harrowing. (Note my use of over-reactive terms, I was trained well.)

I knew that I needed some way to let go of some of it and I had a few options such as:
-Multiple regular margaritas, salt on the rim, on ice. (When I say multiple, I mean 1.5. I can never finish the second one without feeling the need to sing a lovely rendition of "We Didn't Start the Fire".)

-Lots of DVR'd television including every "My Name is Earl" episode, nearly all "Law & Order: SVUs" ever produced and the season finale of "Grey's Anatomy". But that would mean crying all over again when Denny dies and I don't think that's going to be productive, do you?

-Buying 8 bags of Tootsie Roll Pops, digging out the cherry-flavored ones, tossing the rest and eating them as fast as I can unwrap them. (I may still try this one.)

-Cleaning my house from top to bottom with a tooth brush and utility vac. (Still an option as well.)

Instead, I went a different route and:
-Went to the bookstore and perused knitting books for an hour before meeting a friend for dinner and conversation.

-Returned home to knit, knit and knit some more on some Christmas gifts including a hat for my brother. It's amazing what repetitive motion can do for your psyche.

-Stopped by Starbucks on my way in work for a skinny, venti-sized Pumpkin Spice Latte and a piece of coffee cake. (I don't care if they laughed at me when I ordered it with skim milk, but told them to add the whipped cream. It's my drink, my way.)

-Stowed some knitting in my work bag in hopes that during lunch I could further release some stress by clicking the needles through my all too short lunch half hour.

I can be sensible when push comes to shove. Cynical hates it when I shove.