5 Simple Things You Can Do to Reduce Stress and Its Effects

1. If you schedule work, schedule breaks

We all know what it's like to get caught up in a work-frenzied cycle - the To Do list keeps growing and the clock doesn't stop ticking. My mother always used to caution me with clichés like "more haste, less speed!" and, though I never used to take heed of them, she was right. It's perfectly intuitive that we are most productive when we are rested, so why is it so hard for us to remember to give our bodies and minds a break when they need it?

One way to get around this is to schedule breaks the same way you schedule tasks. This way, if you adhere to your task schedule, essential breaks are already incorporated into it. This is particularly important if your work involves a lot of computer work - the physical stress on your eyes is very damaging if you're staring at a screen for hours on end. Sites like Lifehacker (http://www.lifehacker.com), for example, frequently review simple software that, when activated, idle on your desktop for a set amount of time before popping up a reminder to take a break. With a program like that, it'll be easier to remember to rest your eyes, stretch your legs or take a power nap - so that you can return to your work, refreshed and more productive than before.

2. Get the Big Things done first

It's always tempting to avoid the huge pink work-related elephant in the room, especially when it's a task that seems insurmountable or looks like it might take up too much time. Although you mind feel like you're still getting things done by dealing with smaller, easier worries first, the truth is that the knowledge that the Big Undone Thing is still hanging over your head can create far more stress than the smaller tasks you're dealing with. No matter how unappealing a big task may be, the best thing to do is to tackle it head on and as soon as possible - the moment you put it off once, it becomes easier and easier to continue to put it off indefinitely. The relief and sense of accomplishment you feel after finishing it will make you even more productive and less stressed when tying up smaller matters.

3. Buy a day planner