Good nutrition makes a big difference to stress levels.

If you are feeling stressed, limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol and sugar, as these substances can elevate the physical symptoms of stress. Alcohol can be deceptive; some people think it relaxes them for sleep, but most research shows it actually disturbs, not helps, regular sleep patterns.

Good stress-reducing foods:

• Whole grains promote the production of the brain neurotransmitter serotonin, which increases your sense of well-being
• Green, yellow and orange vegetables are rich in minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals, which boost immune response and protect against disease
• Citrus fruits are full of vitamin C, which is a great stress-busting antioxidant

Observe how different foods and beverages affect your stress levels.

For people under tension or stress, an ordinary work load can sometimes seem unbearable. The best way to cope with this feeling of being overwhelmed is to take one task at a time. Pick the most urgent task and work on it first. Once you accomplish that task, choose the next one. The positive feeling of "checking off" work is very satisfying and can help motivate you to keep going. Learn to identify events that leave you mentally drained and pace yourself extra carefully on those ones.

By determining what you really value and what is really worth battling over, you can limit the amount of conflict in your life. Avoid certain situations that lead to conflict. Limit the number of interactions with people who battle with you. Examine conflicting drives and determine which one should prevail. You cannot expect a perfect world without conflict, but you can make a decision to limit the amount of self-inflicted turmoil in your life.