Are you too much of a softy? Have people learned to over-rely on you, impose on your time, and saddle you with their burdens? Learn to say "NO" to demanding requests - rather than suffer subsequent regrets and stress.

Be realistic in your expectations, and make sure others are too - you may be taking on more responsibility than you can or should handle. And remember to say "no" to yourself as well as others; if you are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, don’t do things you don’t have to.

Shed the "superman/woman" urge. No one is perfect, so don't expect perfection from yourself or others. Ask yourself: What really needs to be done? How much can I do? Is the deadline realistic? What adjustments can I make?

Overly-stressed people typically push and push themselves to the point of collapse. Sometimes it’s good to give up and let go of your expectations, demands, and perceived “needs”, whether they are pressures you put on yourself or on others.

Don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it. And go easy with criticism. Try not to feel frustrated, let down, disappointed, even "trapped" when you or another person doesn’t measure up. Remember, everyone is unique, and has his or her own virtues, shortcomings, and the right to develop as an individual.

Twenty to thirty minutes of physical activity on a regular basis is a great way to manage stress. It’s also good for weight control, for blood pressure, for heart disease, for peace of mind, for enjoyment, and for perspective.

You'll find that a consistent exercise schedule not only keeps you alert and focused during the day, but also helps you sleep better at night. If you have a lot of pent-up tension, going for a vigorous walk or for a relaxing swim can ease it out of your system.

One of the best ways to manage stress is to rethink your perceptions. You may not be able to control a situation, but you do have control of your point of view.

Sometimes, if you are feeling very stressed, you might just need to reconsider your response to an event. Is it really the end of the world because you can't hang a picture up quickly, or because the traffic is moving slower than usual, or because you spilled a glass of milk? Sometimes you need to learn to laugh at what you might perceive as a “disaster”. Sometimes you need to let go of what you cannot control. Try shifting your focus from what is not working in your life, to what is.