If you feel overwhelmed, take a few seconds to get in a comfortable position and take a deep breath through your nose for 4 counts. Hold your breath in for 7 counts before exhaling through your mouth slowly for a full 8 counts. Keep breathing like this 35 times and notice how your body feels more at ease when you're finished. You can also try belly breathing as well. Put your left hand on your belly and slowly inhale through your nose. As you breathe, keep your chest still and let your stomach push out. Exhale through your mouth and push your belly to force the air out. Keep your mouth closed so your teeth are slightly apart. Sit up straight and hum to make an "mmm" sound in the back of your throat. Breathe through your nose and continue to hum until you start feeling the vibrations throughout your face and in your chest so you feel relaxed. Vocal toning exercises the muscles in your ear so you can detect higher frequencies of human speech and determine what they truly mean to say. Laughter can be the best medicine when you're feeling stressed since it immediately relieves the tension you're feeling. If you have time, turn on a short and funny video on YouTube, listen to your favorite comedian, or picture a funny image in your head. You can also try to make light of the situation by making up ridiculous what-if scenarios that aren't likely to happen. For example, if you're stressed about a job interview, you may make yourself laugh by asking, "What if the interviewer and I are wearing the exact same thing?" or, "What would I do if the interviewer was a mime?" Close your eyes and imagine resting far away on a desert island, walking in a field of flowers, or going somewhere else that makes you feel calm. Think about what you see, smell, hear, feel, and taste there so you can picture yourself there better and distract yourself from how you're feeling right now. When you feel more relaxed, open your eyes and notice how your body feels. Even picturing something like eating a comforting meal can help you feel at ease. Try to remember a memory where you felt relaxed or excited to boost your mood even more. Keeping your mind on what you need to do rather than your stress will help pass time more quickly so you're not stressing about it as long. Start with the most complicated tasks first so you get them out of the way before working on the easier things. Do the best that you can so you know that you put your best foot forward. For example, if you are taking an exam, take your time. Carefully comprehend each question and focus on what you already have studied and memorized. If in a play, focus on the lines you have memorized. Watch and listen carefully for your cue. Get into your role and pretend you really are that character. Everyone responds to stress differently. If you get agitated or angry when you're stressed, take some time to relax first. If you normally get spaced out or withdrawn, try to fight stress with a stimulating and energizing activity instead.

Summary: Take deep breaths to help you relax. Try vocal toning if you're about to talk or meet with people. Watch or imagine something funny to lighten your mood. Visualize being in a place that relaxes you for 12 minutes. Stay focused on the task you need to complete.

Slouching may seem like it will help you to appear shorter, but it will not. The idea is to make yourself appear less tall because slouching rounds your back and shoulders. This may lower your height one or two inches, but it can also cause you to appear unhealthy or like you lack confidence. Slouching appears less professional and can cause physical pain and permanent spine damage. Instead, practice good posture because it makes you appear confident and is better for you. Confidence is the key to fashion for tall men and women. Place your shoulders back and keep them relaxed. Look in the mirror and make sure that from the side, you could draw a straight line from your earlobe to your ankle. Always take the opportunity to sit when you can find it, especially at social functions where there are few other tall people. Sitting can help people forget that you are tall because it puts you on the same level. If you have a long torso, try to find a chair that is lower than others, or a bar stool or office chair that is adjustable. Stay aware of your position in relation to the person you are having a conversation with. If you are on a platform that places you higher than the person you're talking to, find a way to step off of it. Even though you're taller than the other person, being on even ground with them is better than being positioned even higher. For example, if you stop to talk to someone on the stairs, step down a few steps. To minimize how much others notice your height, try standing around people who are also tall. For example, during gym class or on the playground, look for tall people and go make friends with them. Finding others of the same height can also make you feel less self-conscious and more confident, therefore less likely to slouch. If no one's height compares to yours, find the tallest people you can.

Summary: Practice good posture. Sit down frequently. Get on the same level with people. Place yourself near other tall people.

. Children in domestic violence homes are more likely to be abused themselves. Even when they are not abused, they may still suffer from emotional and behavioral problems. Abusive parents also are more likely to try to get custody as a way to further retaliate against and control their spouses. The court will consider the child's best interests when awarding custody. The judge will take into account domestic violence, the home environment, and other factors. Talk with your child's school or daycare to alert them to the situation. Let them know who is authorized to pick up your children from school. . If you are married to your abuser, you need to file for divorce. This will make sure that you are no longer tied legally to this person. File a petition for divorce with the Family Court in your county. Be sure to follow the divorce guidelines for your own state. While most states are similar in procedure, there may be differences depending on your location. This includes social security numbers, custody papers, birth certificates, bank statements, and so on. If you didn't already collect these before leaving, or it's not safe to return to your house, then you should be able to get most of these papers from the relevant agencies. For instance, visit the social security office in your area to get new copies of your social security card. Visit your local health department to get copies of birth certificates. Ask your bank for copies of bank statements. It's important to separate yourself entirely from your abuser, and this includes your bank account, credit cards, insurance, mortgage, and so on. This can be a time-consuming process but it will prevent further harassment and financial abuse. Close your bank account. Start a new account with a different bank. If you can safely do it, make sure to transfer your savings and other assets to this new account. If you have a joint bank account, withdraw half of the available money. This amount is legally yours. If you don't take the money now, then your abuser may drain the account and leave you with nothing. Oftentimes, an abuser may try to ruin his partner's credit by opening a credit card in her name using her social security number. This is fraud, even when you are or were married to someone. Make sure that no one can misuse your personal information. Talk with the fraud departments of major credit bureaus. Ask them to place a red flag on your account so that you'll be alerted any time someone tries to apply for credit with your social security number. Your abuser may have ruined your credit through financial abuse. He may have kept you from being able to develop your own credit rating. If you get a credit card now, then you can start working on improving your credit score. Your abuser can use your credit card statements to track your movements, so you should cancel any cards you already have. Then you can get a new card with a different company.
Summary: File for custody of your children File for divorce Keep copies of all important papers. Sever all financial ties. Protect your social security number. Work on improving your credit score.