How do you deal with stress?

I used to eat to deal with stress.  Or, I would have a drink in the evening.  But, now I can't eat to deal with stress and I can't drink alcohol.  The NP at the surgeon's office suggested a stress ball.  That is insufficient for me.  I have a very stressful job.  I work with an emotionally and behaviorally disturbed deaf teenager and some other exceptionally disabled deaf children.  My husband and I also own two other businesses and have four employees.  I've had a lot of sickness and death in my family recently.  I've started acupuncture, and while I think it helps some, I recently had some severe chest and back pain that is apparently caused by tight muscles.  So, I'm looking for some suggestions from people who have had similar experiences.  How do YOU deal with stress?  Thanks!

I deal with stress in lots of different ways, I think a multi-pronged attack works best for me.  

I sing twice a week - I take voice lessons and belong to a choir.  
I exercise a LOT - I get at least 10 hours a week in, usually closer to 14.  
Yoga - which is part of the exercise, but merits its own shoutout.  Yoga is amazing and mindful and I love it.  This is also my primary mode of stretching in general and after I run.  
I get monthly massages.  
I talk to my therapist almost weekly.  
I spend quality time with my friends and get out on the weekend to do something fun.  
I eat delicious and healthy food that I cook - cooking is a very relaxing activity for me.  

I walk - i like to walk and find it very stress relieving.  Even at work, sometimes I circle the interior of the building around 3pm once or twice - as well as trying to walk daily at lunch at work.  

good suggestions were already posted. the only other ones i can offer is losing yourself in good books - takes your mind away from other issues, and petting dogs or cats. proven to lower blood pressure. and tai chi is good.  i deal with it by doing artwork with my hands.   diane

I think Gwen listed all the best alternatives.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but exercise is a great stress reliever for me.  I walk for about an hour in the evenings with my headphones on listening to music and it helps me to deal with the stress. 

Another suggestion might be journaling or blogging.  I don't do it, but many others do and it sometimes helps to write out what you're feeling in order to let the stress out.

Try jogging even if it's for 20-30 minutes a day.  It really helps to release stress plus it helps you maintain/reach your weight goal.  Way better if you do it in a park. 

Walking, especially if I can get some sun on my face and out in nature or a park, is definitely the best thing I've found. 

The least productive thing I've found is venting about it, unfortunately for me because that's always what I want to do. It just causes me to dwell on the stressful things instead of actually making me feel better.