Today's competitive business market combined with the task of juggling responsibilities at work and home create a very stressful environment. Stress reeks havoc on our daily lives, it comes in all shapes and sizes and has become so pervasive, that it seems to permeate everything and everybody. There is no magic cure for stress, but there are many ways to deal with your stress and decrease its affect on your body and mind. We've put together a list of 10 ways to handle, and hopefully, alleviate some of the stress in your life.

1- Identify the source of your stress - take steps to improve the situation.

2- Exercise - A new study concludes that a supervised program of regular exercise can improve fitness and help to relieve stress.

3- Start a journal - Scientists have found that patients who performed an "expressive" writing assignment had significantly greater reductions in symptoms of stress.

4- Use techniques such as meditation, yoga and positive self-talk.

5- Take care of number one - YOU - schedule time in your day for you, go for a walk, listen to your favorite music, get a manicure, treat yourself to a favorite indulgence.

6- Become a kid again - go to the zoo, head to the beach, swing on a swing in the park, play in the rain.

7- Get in control of your life. This requires making an investment of a little of your free time in planning and goal setting. By planning you can anticipate problems in advance and setting realistic goals helps to reduce stress.

8- Take up a non-competitive, non-stress sport or hobby - like sailing or walking, where there is little or no pressure for performance. Other suggestions include:

• reading a novel
• watching television or listening to music
• taking a long bath
• having a massage

9- Maintain a healthy, nutritious diet. Be aware of the effects of the following:

• Caffeine - Caffeine is a stimulant.
• Alcohol - In small amounts alcohol may help you relax. In larger amounts it can cause stress and have negative effects on your body.
• Nicotine - While in the very short-term nicotine can cause relaxation, its toxic effects raise the heart rate and stress the body.
• Sugar - Sugar-rich foods can raise energy in the short term, too much sugar can cause an energy dip.

10- Eliminate stress from your environment - unorganized living and working environments can be a major source of stress. A well-organized environment reduces stress and increases productivity.

It has been proven that increased stress does result in increased productivity - up to a point. However, this boiling point differs for everyone. It is important to find your proper level of stress that helps promote optimal performance, without pushing you over the edge. And, remember there is no magic cure for stress, but there are many ways to deal with your stress.

For ways that employers can reduce stress in the workplace see: Increased Stress Equals Decreased Productivity.