Have you heard of Twitter yet? It's a site that's growing in popularity as a new way for people to stay connected. The idea is that people write tiny blog-type posts that answer the question 'What Are You Doing Right Now?' When I first heard about this, I thought, "Why? We have blogs, cell phones, and social networking sites like MySpace and LinkedIn. Wouldn't this just create more noise and suck more time?"

Well, actually, there are advantages to Twitter. So far, I've discovered that Twitter can help relieve stress in the following ways:

• Stay Connected: The obvious benefit to Twitter is that it helps you to stay connected with people, but it may do so in ways you don't expect. People may mention that they are reading a certain book that may be helpful to you. People may mention that they're about to go exercise or meditate, and it could remind you to get involved in a stress relief activity, too. Things people say can make you laugh, and find the humor in your own situation.
• Take A Quick Break: One problem with online stress relief tools like Weboggle, is that they can be addictive, and suck away your time before you even realize how much of your schedule has disappeared. With Twitter, it takes a few seconds to 'tweet' (create a post), or you can spend a few minutes seeing what everyone else is up to, and then you've had a little break and can get back to work with a fresh frame of mind.
• Get Stress Tips: If you 'follow' me on Twitter, you can get links to my latest blog posts, which report new research on stress and provide a steady stream of stress relief tools you can use. I'll also provide stress tips you may not find anywhere else. It's a new way to stay up-to-date.

Since I just signed up a few hours ago, I'm sure I'll be discovering new ways that Twitter can work as a stress reliever, and you can discover them with me. If you want to follow me, go to my page, which is http://twitter.com/ElizabethScott, and see how you like it.

What's your opinion on Twitter? Post a comment, or contribute to the Twitter thread in the Stress Management Forum.

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