Stress V Chess

In life, we have to cope with negative stress.  Sure, no one likes it, but it is part of life.  I've had a lot of that lately, and it has affected my chess.  What I learned sometime ago from Jack Stockel is, "Don't get nervous".  Even more important, from what I now know is not to let that stress get into the way of your play.  Sure, it is sometimes unavoidable, especially when, you get put on the spot.  But, my model to an extent is to treat chess like your on vacation since that's what I do on my free time.  Therefore, just relax and try to get rid of whatever is causing the stress.  As that way, the problem is solved, and remembering that is helping me to play better.