While it is not always possible to avoid tiring or stressful situations, lifestyle changes can help to reduce their effects:

Get organised €“ write a to-do list and prioritise, dealing with the most pressing situations first. Be realistic about what you can achieve in a set amount of time.

Be prepared €“ whether its planning for an interview, making sure you know the way to an important meeting or simply packing enough toys to keep the kids entertained on a long journey, being prepared can help to avoid stressful, last minute panics.

Learn to say 'no' €“ this may sound simple, but it's surprising how difficult it can be to turn something down. Many people overestimate their limits so take on more than they can handle. Learning to say 'no' or how to delegate can make a big difference to stress levels.

Take time to relax €“ factor in a little 'me time' during the day. There are many ways to do this and they don't all require a lot of time. Deep breathing, a hot shower after work or a laugh with a good friend can all help to relieve stress.

Postpone change €“ change is stressful. If you don't need to redecorate the entire house two weeks before relatives visit, don't do it. Put it off until you can better handle the situation.

Get active €“ exercise is a great stress-buster as it releases feel-good chemicals in the brain that help to combat the effects of stress. It also relaxes muscles and aids restful sleep. Exercise doesn't have to mean hitting the treadmill at the gym, although running is a great way to deal with stress. Anything that gets the body moving and increases the heart rate is beneficial. Why not try dancing or going for a walk or a bike ride with the family? Aim for about 2.5 hours (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as cycling or fast walking) a week.

Eat a healthy diet €“ opt for plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Avoid fatty, sugary foods. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake, and drink plenty of water. Sugary snacks give a temporary energy boost that is quickly followed by a 'crash'. For a pick-me-up, try a banana or a handful of nuts. Replace coffee and fizzy drinks with herbal teas and plenty of water.

Don't skip meals €“ the body's metabolism drops if we don't eat regularly, leading to a slump in energy levels. Ideally, we should all aim to eat small meals every three to four hours. One of the most important meals of the day is breakfast. During sleep, the body's metabolism slows right down, making breakfast necessary for an energy boost in the morning. Despite this, many people don't make time to eat first thing.

Sleep well €“ most of us need between seven and nine hours of sleep in order to wake up feeling refreshed.

 Talk things over €“ the saying 'a problem shared is a problem halved' has a lot of truth in it. Keeping worries and concerns bottled up inside can be stressful in itself. Sometimes simply talking to someone else about what's bothering us can make us feel better. Other people may also be more understanding and accommodating if they realise what you're going through, or they may have encountered similar situations before and be able to offer advice or support.

Get help €“ if stress persists or worsens, seek medical advice. Prolonged stress can lead to serious mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. Don't be afraid to speak to a doctor if feeling overwhelmed.

Identify the source €“ sources of stress are not always obvious. It may be worries about work deadlines. However, it may also be putting those deadlines off, rather than the work itself, that is the primary source of the stress. Identify sources of stress by looking closely at habits, attitudes and excuses, e.g. blaming stress on other people.

Keep a stress journal €“ this can help to identify regular stress triggers and how you respond to them. As you log daily stress, patterns and common themes should become apparent. Write down the cause of the stress, how you felt (physically and emotionally), how you responded and what you did to make yourself feel better.

Think about how you cope €“ are your coping strategies healthy or unhealthy? Helpful or unhelpful? For example, smoking, over- or under-eating, not exercising, procrastinating or taking stress out on others is not helpful or healthy.