A simple gratitude practice, taking a bit of time daily to focus on something for which you are grateful, has been proven to reduce cortisol levels significantly. It’s an effective stress reducer, with other benefits as well. You can find the fascinating research results from University of California at Davis here https://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/2015-2016/11/20151125_gratitude.html 

“Today I bless …” combines a gratitude practice with prayer, another stress buster (https://psychcentral.com/blog/spirituality-and-prayer-relieve-stress/). The practice is as simple as this:

Begin by blessing God:

Blessed are you, Lord God,
Creator of the universe,
for you have given us the power
to bless in your name.

Then use any blessing prayer to extend God’s love, mercy, goodness, and healing to someone or something that brought you joy today.
This blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 is a good choice.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

Finally, receive a blessing yourself. You need it, especially if you are feeling guilty! You may enjoy this video of the Priestly Blessing from Numbers sung in English and Hebrew by Marty and Misha Goetz -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW4YB6fVvJo

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This practice may easily be extended to bless people or situations that lead you to experience anger, fear, anxiety, or sadness. Blessing in this way is a fulfillment of Jesus’ command (Luke 6:28) to “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Of course, these are probably not actually cursing you or abusing you, but your emotions are responding as if they are.

Extending blessing in these painful places releases transformative love and compassion into them, and also within you. Blessing is not just good wishes but a real spiritual power breathed and spoken into the world.

To learn more about blessing, see the chapter “The Practice of Pronouncing Blessings” in Barbara Brown Taylor’s book An Altar in the World, or Kerry Kirkwood’s book The Power of Blessing.