This isn't all bad news; a bit of stress is actually normal and can help motivate us to better performance.

Too much stress however can affect our health. If not controlled, it can lead to anxiety which is now recognized as a mental health issue. How can we manage stress so that it doesn't become a problem?

Think for a moment how you feel when your stress levels rise to an uncomfortable level. Stress is a part of your body's defensive systems and usually manifests itself in a sensation of tension and possibly a feeling of fear or anger.

At the first indication your stress levels are heading skyward, stop for a moment and gather your thoughts. Focus on your breathing and concentrate on inhaling, holding your breath for a moment, and then exhaling.

Now relieve some of that tension that stress usually places in your neck and shoulders. Shrug your shoulders, and then relax them. Massage the back of your neck with both hands, and then move your head from one side to the other.

If you're concentrating on breathing and relieving tension in your neck and shoulders you'll divert your attention from the causes of your stress and relaxation will begin almost immediately. This is a good short-term way to deal with a stressful situation.

Longer term you can adopt strategies that will reduce the impacts stress creates and even prevent stressful situations from occurring.

Most of us need eight hours of sleep each night but don’t get it. We're easily stressed as a result. Don't stay up too late; get to bed in time to have eight hours of restful sleep and you'll be amazed at how much better you feel.

A healthy diet and a reasonable amount of daily exercise are also good ways to reduce the effects of stress. Avoid junk food and snacks; eat lots of vegetables and fruits, and don't have a big meal within three hours of going to bed. 

Try to exercise thirty minutes a day at least three times a week, and take every opportunity to walk distances up to 1km instead of driving. The greater your fitness the better you’ll be at resisting the forces of stress.

A last bit of advice; learn to say 'no' and mean it. If you're given an impossible deadline there's no shame in telling someone that it's impossible. It’s worse to create a false impression and then get totally stressed out as a result.