Once upon a time, stress was the body's warning system to either fight or fee aggressors (think of those wild animals) making it essential to stay alive. Now stress is more likely to be a long-term reaction to the faster pace of life, think your job, health, relationships or money worries.

When stress is short-term it can be almost exciting, but research has shown that the over-production of hormones caused by long-term stress can upset the mind and body, causing everything from indigestion to panic attacks, and eventually serious illness. Not good, whatever way you look at it.

Unfortunately, we can't stop our body's natural response to stress, but we can learn how to cope with it better.

I'm currently going through one of these times, so I thought I'd share some of the ways that are helping me through it.

- Surround yourself with friends, family and loved ones, so you're not alone and have a good support network. You'll feel less isolated and depressed.

- Change things that you can change and learn to accept the things that you can't. None of us are perfect, so don't even begin to compare yourself unfavourably with your older sister or talented friend. Remember, your best is good enough.

- Instead of worrying what everyone else is thinking, concentrate on what you're thinking instead. You can control one, but no amount of stressing will change the other.

- When you're feeling down, phone your happiest friend. It's good to talk, even better to listen.

- Repair a troubled mind by writing down your worries. Expressing your feelings on paper will release their intensity, making room for more positive ones in your head.

- Adapt the Tibetan Buddhist practice of living in the present. Whatever you're doing, eating, walking, waiting, in whatever environment, rain, snow, sun, concentrate on that moment. The aim is mindfulness, so you can be at peace.

- Remember, life is ten per cent what happens to you, and ninety percent how you react to it. The choice is yours, sometimes things are less problematic than they seem.

I hope by reading this, your day is less stressful. Tell me - what do you do to reduce stress? Share your thoughts below.