Stress comes at us from all angles – work, school, family, and even our daily commute. Fortunately, the advice found in this selection of handpicked tips and tricks can be used to constructively assess and respond to the most common sources of stress. Keep calm, carry on, and remember these tips in your time of need.

One way to reduce your high levels of stress is to read a book. When you read, your mind wanders into a fantasy land, where you are not troubled by the different pressures that will cause you tension. Purchase a mystery or science fiction novel to help how you feel.

A very simple way to reduce stress is to start your day ten or fifteen minutes earlier. By giving yourself that extra few minutes each day, you’ll have time to sit and enjoy your cup of coffee or give you a head start on your commute so you won’t have to battle traffic, therefore reducing your stress level. That extra time also gives you a chance to catch up on things that might not have gotten done the previous day. It’s amazing what a few short minutes each day can do for your stress levels!

You can lower your stress level simply by keeping up with any repairs that need to be done. Imagine that three items need repaired, a task that is going to involve triple the time, money and energy to accomplish, and a task that is bound to increase your stress levels. It is also a situation that could be avoided if you kept up with repairs.

When you are feeling down or stressed out, call your boyfriend or girlfriend and tell them how much you love them. This will put a smile on their face which will indirectly make you feel good about yourself. Call a loved one to maximize the way that you feel during the day.

Learn positive thinking techniques to conquer stress. When you are feeling stressful, sit down and take some deep breaths. Close your eyes and think of yourself in your favorite relaxing place. Whether it is on a beach relaxing and sipping a drink or at a ball game with your kids, laughing and having a good time. Just thinking about positive and stress free situations will make the stress go away.

Go out for a walk. Walking will force you to breath more deeply and improve your circulation. If you’re able, walking outside is most enjoyable. However walking inside will work as well. Whichever you choose, just get up and move! It will help calm you and alleviate some stress.

To identify hidden sources of stress in your life, start keeping a stress journal. Each time you find yourself feeling stressed out, make a note of it in your journal. Record what happened, how it made you feel and how you responded to the stressful event or situation. This will allow you to spot patterns of stress over time so you can develop an effective long term stress management plan.

While it is difficult to imagine an entirely stress-free existence, this kind of life is by no means a myth. Think about times that you have felt stress and figure out what caused it. Once you begin to identify your stress triggers, you will be able to find ways to avoid them.

You should be sure to learn the difference between good stress and bad stress so that you are better able to deal with each of them. Good stress is short lived and not very strong and can be used to motivate you whereas bad stress feels as though it is unrelated to anything in particular.

If you are not the kind of person who enjoys running than you can also consider some type of martial art. The act of hitting an object or other person in an appropriate context can really help to ease the desire to hit people in the absolute wrong situations in life.

Find out and target what it is that is stressing you out. If it is just your job, then think about switching careers. If it is your family, then work on the issues you have with them. Really zone in on what it is that is causing your stress and then deal with the root of the problem.

If you are involved in a committed relationship, spend time with your partner in a romantic, pleasant setting. Going out will let you focus on the great time you’re having with your significant other and not on all the things in your life that stress you out.

So whether you are having trouble coping with a new job, passing a difficult course, or dealing with unforeseen events that make it difficult to go about one’s business with an air of calm — do not be afraid to call upon these tips to help you cope.