Do you do the dishes, vacuum the house, prepare the kids' packed lunches, take the cat to the vet and do the weekly shop all with a smile on your face? No? Well, you're not alone. We all seem to have such busy lives these days that it's no wonder that to a greater or lesser degree we all suffer from stress. Do you get the odd tension headache, are your neck and shoulders stiff or do you find it hard to get a good night's sleep? These are all telltale symptoms of stress and while a certain amount of stress is good for you and keeps you motivated and on your toes, it's important not to overload yourself and turn the odd stress headache into something more sinister like high blood pressure and heart disease.

If you feel you are taking on too much responsibility and are beginning to crack at the edges why not take a look at our easy to follow stress-busting ideas and start to unwind, relax and enjoy your day?

1. Take a walk - it's the perfect way to slow down, shape up and recharge your batteries.
2. Create some 'me' time - hard to do, but if you can take just 15 minutes a day of quiet time or even better learn to meditate you will feel refreshed for the rest of the day.
3. Learn to say no - don't martyr yourself; the sooner other family members learn to pull their weight the better.
4. Find a place for everything - don't stress yourself searching for something in a hurry, always put things in the same place.
5. Talk to someone - a problem shared can take away some of the stress. If you believe you have a real problem ask your GP if you can see a counsellor. Often, though, a chat with a close friend can help lighten that load.
6. Enjoy the moment - if you do manage to find ten minutes to put your feet up and read your favourite magazine, don't feel guilty about it.
7. Make lists - at the end of each day make a list of jobs for the next day in order of priority - the chores are on paper now and not rushing around your head.
8. Try online shopping - it can save you time and you can top up your list throughout the week before the delivery date.
9. Clear out the clutter - if your house is cluttered your head will be too.
10. Cut out stimulants - they may provide a quick fix but they'll only add to your stress levels in the long term.