I'm no stranger to a stressful working environment - deadlines and demanding clients will do that to you. But then I know that there are more stressful jobs out there - like those involving millions of dollars or running a country.

And if people in those areas can manage - I figure I can as well.

Managing stress in the workplace begins with understanding. If you don't know what is making you stressed, there's nothing you can do that will fix it. So step one is all about figuring out what is causing your stress filled atmosphere. It could be as obvious as a looming deadline or as subtle as a work colleague continually being negative about your work.

Understand the cause and you'll be able to change things for the better.

That leads us on to my next tip - get out of the deep end. You may have found the source of the stress and put in place steps to manage it - but it's also worth getting out once in a while. Too many people will sit at their computer working through lunch and late into the evening. I can understand this once in a while when things are really behind but if you're one of the thousands that do this everyday then you need to stop. It's not healthy and not nearly as productive as if you'd take 20 minutes to refresh your brain.

Go for a walk. Eat lunch in a park. Go buy a new book. Do something away from work and away from the stress.

Lastly, stress is all about a state of mind. Once you've understood the cause and taken a walk to clear you mind - get rid of stress once and for all by realising that no matter what happens ... you CAN deal with it. You also need to understand that you're giving it your best shot - and no one can expect more than that.

Make a to-do list. Figure out a time line and if you need help, ask for it. Break it down into steps you can manage and the big picture won't seem that far away. You can do it. You will do it. And always remember that tomorrow is another day. You will wake up. The world will keep turning and you will still be able to smile and have a good time long after the deadline has passed. In the grand scheme of things ... how big a deal is it really?

Now there's no need to get stressed about it - is there?

In upcoming entries I'll share with you some other secrets people have employed over the years to deal with stress - some obvious, some obscure. What I will say is that with the best intentions and planning in the world - stress is a natural function for human beings. However, if you follow a few simple steps then it can be just a manageable as almost every other aspect of your life.

Good luck.

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