OLD chum Mike Shaw found the 10 Commandments For Reducing Stress among a load of papers and memorabilia. He has no idea how old it is or its origins but it has been around long before the internet (which he doesn’t have).

And yet, when I checked online, it is featured on many web pages, as varied as police chat sites to mental health groups. Perhaps these commandments really could alleviate stress. Do they strike a chord?

Thou shalt not be perfect, nor even try to be.

Thou shalt not try to be all things to all people.

Thou shalt leave things undone that ought to be done.

Thou shalt not spread thyself too thin.

Thou shalt learn to say No.

Thou shalt schedule time for thyself and thy supportive network.

Thou shalt switch off and do nothing regularly.

Thou shalt be boring, untidy, inelegant and unattractive at times.

Thou shalt not even feel guilty.

Especially, thou shalt not be thine own worst enemy, but be thy best friend.