Counting sheep is a well-known trick, but you can improve on it by taking deep, controlled breaths as you count. Inhale as you count to 4, hold your breath for a few seconds, then slowly exhale for about 8 seconds. Try to focus only on counting and breathing to clear your mind and slow your heartbeat. You could also try other meditative techniques, like visualizing peaceful scenes. Think of a place where you feel completely at ease, like a beach or a relaxing place from your childhood. Focus only on being there, and imagine it with as many sensory details as possible. Start by breathing in and tensing one muscle group, like your toes. Feel them contract, and, as you exhale and release the contraction, imagine your tension flowing away. Continue to contract and relax the muscles in your legs, abs, chest, arms, and head. As you release each muscle, visualize more and more tension leaving your body. You might find it relaxing to take a hot bath or shower before bedtime. In addition, going from a hot bath to a cooler bedroom will lower your body temperature, which helps induce sleep. Make sure the water is above 100F (38C) for the best results. Water that is too cool won't provide the same benefits as hot water. Hot baths are better for inducing relaxation, but regardless of whether you take a hot bath or shower, make sure that you enjoy the water for at least 20 minutes. Also do it at least one hour before bed to allow your body to cool. A cold bath or shower will cause your body temperature to lower even more drastically, however many people may find the cold water uncomfortable. Reading can reduce stress and help your mind to unwind. To avoid getting too excited, go for a book you've already read and steer clear of horror or action books. Remember to pick up an old-fashioned paper book, since electronic devices can keep you from falling asleep. If you find that your mind simply won't turn off or you struggle with daily stress, try writing in a journal. Write about your day's events and list things that have been causing stress. Getting them out of your head and onto paper can help you let go of them and have an easier time falling asleep.
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One-sentence summary -- Try counting while taking slow, deep breaths. Try visualizing relaxing scenery. Try progressive muscle relaxation. Take a hot soak. Read a book. Write in a journal.

Try to choose characters with an ambiguous identity or description, so that you can reuse them in other puppet shows. You can find figures anywhere, but the Internet has a wealth of options available at the touch of a button. On a piece of paper, trace out the figure to the desired size. You may like to reinforce the paper with card, or draw it directly on to card, so that the paper doesn't flap around during your performance. Think about the back side, too! Will your puppet be turning around during use? And if you do make a back side, does it need fins or a tail? If a circular shape would aid well to your project, consider using this sturdy, textured material. It works well for fish, crabs, clams, and other plump creatures. If you use two, it gives ultimate volume. Cut a slit to the center and reglue them together with a bit of overlap. Taking a section out forces the paper to bend into more of a shallow cone shape. Place the wide sides together to form the body of your animal. Color is an important part of any puppet show. Make your characters bright and interesting, so that the audience's eye is pleased. Find a clear plastic straw and attach it to the back of the puppet with cello-tape or blue tack. Be sure that it is long enough that your hand is some distance from the actual puppet. You don't want your arm in the show! Alternatively, get some fishing wire and attach it to your puppet so you can hold it from the top. This, however, requires you to stand up while performing. For eyes, use the googly kind (attach with glue). If you're making a Puffer Fish, like in the pictures, consider using straws cut down at an angle to about 2" (5 cm) and attached all over the body. Cut some small fins out of your paper or paper plate. Tada!
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One-sentence summary -- Choose a figure. Make the figure. If you'd like, consider using paper plates. Color it in. Make the handle. Add any decorations.

Use a chef's knife for quick and efficient slicing.
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One-sentence summary -- Spread the coconut out onto a large plate. Unwrap the first log and roll it in the coconut until the coconut adheres to the outside. Place the log onto a cutting board and slice the log into cookies with a 1/2" (12 mm) thickness. Plate the cookies and serve them with a glass of cold milk.

It's a cliche, but it's a cliche because it works. Often you'll find that you've held your breath when reacting, or have begun breathing erratically. Take several slow deep breaths using your diaphragm and abdominal muscles when presented with difficult situations. Procrastination has not been shown to be an effective coping method, and neither has straight-up ignoring the issue. Think about how to handle yourself here and now. Often, the issues that work us up are small ones, piled up high enough to feel huge and important when they aren't. Every problem or stressor can always be broken down into components you can handle; if it doesn't seem like it can, that's only because it hasn't been broken down far enough yet! Releasing a little steam can sometimes keep from the whole kettle boiling over, so to speak. Overcoming oversensitivity doesn't mean you have to be meek or unfeeling. Sometimes it means you need to talk it out when it's still comfortable to talk about, before you have time to ruminate on an offhand comment and become overcome or despondent. Over a long enough time, dealing with the same distressing or aggravating issue can make it so that the smallest version of it elicits a huge and seemingly disproportionate response. Don't let the small things gnaw away at you. Bring them out into the open so they don't build up. You may feel yourself go numb and quiet as a balm to deal in an uncomfortable social situation, but don't let yourself be defeated. Try and take a quiet moment to see the situation as it really is. You're probably not debating nuclear disarmament deals before the U.N. You're in a passing, emotionally stressful moment. Physically excuse yourself from the situation as easily as you can. It may prove more appropriate to slip away unnoticed, but if you're in conversation at a social event let someone know you're going to step away for a moment; this token gesture of normalcy can help stabilize your perception of the situation, especially if this was a situation in which you felt embarrassed or vulnerable. "Getting some fresh air" or "going to the bathroom" are both time-tested excuses. Considering the ubiquity of smartphones, you won't even need anything beyond a gesture toward an iPhone screen to indicate why you need to step away. It's not about embracing unpleasant feelings, but about accepting how small of a moment that feeling was, and that you're moving past it; you'll move past it every time, because there's no other option.
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One-sentence summary --
Take a deep breath. Stay in the present. Express yourself. Hang in there. Distance yourself, literally. Accept that working on it is progress in and of itself.