by Ashley McErlean

Created on: November 22, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

The average person's life in today's world is hectic, fast-paced, and chock-full of stress. While some stress is good, too much can negatively impact your mental and physical well-being. Taking control of stressors in your life can minimize the impact and keep you from losing your mind.

Take care of you

A healthy body is better able to deal with everyday stressors. Exercise regularly, eat healthy and get plenty of rest. Do not rely on vices like drugs or alcohol to handle stress. While many claim that smoking is relaxing, nicotine actually contributes to anxiety. Recent studies have linked smoking to increased anxiety and depression.

Find your support system

Whether it's your spouse, a support group or a group of friends at Happy Hour, find the people who will let you complain, cry and make a scene when the stress starts building up. Let someone hold you when you're close to the breaking point. Find people who are dealing with the same things you're stressing over. If work is your stressor, talk to your coworkers. They're in the same boat, and will understand better than anyone else. If your kids are making you crazy, talk to your spouse. If your spouse is making you crazy, talk to your married friends.

Develop a plan

Make a list of the things causing you stress, whether it be a looming deadline at work, financial problems, relationship issues or a messy house. For each problem on the list, brainstorm solutions. Maybe your home environment is too chaotic. Delegate chores and set up a reward system. If work is piling up, prioritize your duties. Spend a small amount of time at the beginning of your shift to get the easy work out of the way. For the rest of the day, handle assignments in order of importance. Every problem has several potential solutions. If you are facing financial difficulties, set up an appointment with a financial adviser. If your relationship is in trouble, set aside time to reconnect or to meet with a counselor.

Learn to say "No"

A major source of stress is taking on more than you can handle. When someone asks you for a favor, or to add more responsibility at work, learn how to say "no". Before you commit to something, make sure you have the time and the energy to handle it. People will appreciate your honesty in advance rather than finding out later that you couldn't keep your commitment.

Focus on the positive

It's not very often that people stop to recognize and appreciate the blessings in life. Sit down and make a list of all the things for which you are thankful. Putting it into words can really help put the negatives in perspective. Include in your list all of the positive things about you. If you're a great cook, a loving mother or very good at your job, give yourself credit for it.

Breathe

Breathing and relaxation exercises may seem silly, but they work. Many disorders can be linked to stress, and learning to relax can be the first step to healing. Insomnia, depression and weight gain are only a few of many health issues linked to stress. There are hundreds of books on the market detailing relaxation techniques. A mental health professional can also teach you healthy ways to relax.

Accept the things you can't change

There are some things that are set in stone, no matter what. Learning to accept those things will keep them from causing you undue stress. Obsessing over things you can't do anything about will only cause more stress.

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