I don't necessarily have a problem with what has to get done today. My stress factor needle pegs when I have to deal with certified idiots, a-holes, or any kind of government official. Sometimes when I walk out the door to go do errands,etc., I can hear my wife yell at me, " Be nice, and Don't get tased"!
Perfectionism is something many people struggle with. That is a topic all to itself, and it can be a challenge to manage.
One person's relaxing can be another person's poison.
Some people like to hike 50 miles, or a tall mountain. Other people will lie on a beach for days. If one is their preference, you couldn't pay most people enough to exchange activities between those 2 categories.
I think the secret is finding Activity X, that fits your own recipe for downtime.
One of my favourite downtime activities is riding motorcycles. To somebody else it may just look like a dangerous activity that is a waste of time/gas..... but it works for me.
Any hobby that takes you away from normal stress patterns can be helpful.
I think it depends on if you "stress out" out the project and work, and if it REALLY is work. I have work I have to do, and then I have "fun-work". I do my share of both, and I have more projects to deal with than I likely ever will. I don't let it bother me - I sleep good every night and just do the best I can each day.
I've been in a lot of cemetaries and seen a lot of headstones. I've never seen one that read "I wish I spent more time at work"
Check out "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living," by Dale Carnegie. It might help you to think differently about the things that are causing you stress.
Golf stresses me and bores me beyond belief. What time I've spent watching those playing I think it has that affect on a lot of people. Maybe that's why they drink so heavily??