Even with ergonomic furniture it's STILL possible to suffer neck, shoulder, arm, wrist and finger pain. By time it reaches your wrists and hands, of course, you're in a really bad way. However, there are some exercises you can do. Preferably do them to PREVENT pain. Unfortunately, most need demonstrating with photos or graphics, but my favourite is easy to describe. Stretch out on your bed with your shoulders positioned so your head hangs over edge. Support your head with both hands and slowly lower it over edge of bed as far as you can. Take away your hands and rotate your head an inch or two to both left and right, trying to see as much of floor as you can. Then gently lift your head with your hands until it's level with rest of your body. Do exercise a few more times. Try doing it every morning as part of your dressing ritual, or every night before getting into bed. Certainly you should do it as soon as you notice slightest pain.

This exercise works on same principle as best exercise for back pain (bending yourself backwards as far as you can). Backache, especially unexplainable backache, is usually caused by doing things that force you to bend forward for long periods. Slouching in your chair (particularly in a way that forces your body into a ³banana² shape) is another cause of backache.

Armchairs and sofas shouldn't need cushions. If they do they're badly designed. Cushions are difficult to arrange for proper lumbar support, so if chair in which you sit to watch TV doesn't have good lumbar support, a special back roll for purpose is probably your best bet. And don't forget seats in your car!

3. Breathing

Few people know how to breathe. They suck in, and blow out air periodically, but without conscious thought. Every couple of hours, become aware of your breathing. Take a deep breath, deep into your stomach, filling very bottom of your lungs, then slowly let it out. Repeat five times. This basal breathing is very relaxing and few minutes it takes is highly beneficial in easing stress.

4. Exercise

What happens when all that excess adrenaline has nowhere to go? It builds stress even further. A little exercise is best way of all of burning it all off. There is no need to join a gym or run a marathon - just walk up stairs instead of taking elevator, do a set of sit-ups before bedtime or take two minutes to perform an easy stretching routine before lunch. The more exercise you can build into your daily life better you will be at dealing with each day.

5. Reduce stimulants

Coffee might keep you alert in short term, but it plays havoc with your ability to function in longer run. Alcohol is a great relaxant in moderation, but more than a couple of glasses have opposite effect. Tobacco puts many added stresses on your body. Drugs are simply crazy.

All these stimulants just add to problem: if you are already stressed, they will not help you get over it - they will make situation worse.

6. Recognize stress-point and adjust accordingly

Possibly easier said than done, but knowing your enemy is 50% of way to beating it. Take time to work out what your stress triggers are and then try to devise strategies to minimize each one. Taking problems one at a time is a far more positive approach than panicking about them all at once.

7. Make time to relax

No matter how hard you work, or how many demands are put on you, remember - it's your life. You deserve at least some time every day just to be with you. Maybe it is just 5 minutes in morning, but treasure it, make it yours and don't allow outside pressures in to your time. Believe me, enjoying your own time every day will make you far more effective on everybody else's time.

8. Drink herbal tea

Not as silly as it sounds. Many herbal teas contain substances with naturally calminative properties. Chamomile tea is very relaxing, Raspberry and Echinacea tea soothes mind and helps strengthen immune system, Peppermint tea aids in digestion. And they are refreshing and taste good too.

9. Don't be afraid to ask for help

One of most often heard complaints I hear from highly stressed people is that they have too much work and too little time. Yet they are often worst delegators. If you have a downline, delegate. (But mind you don't pile too much on your subordinates that they crack under strain). If you have an upline, see if any of your workload can be passed that way. That is more difficult, but often a task that is way too much for you is easy to someone with a few more years of experience. And bosses often like to show that they 'still have it.'

10. Smile

The last on list, but probably number one in importance. Smile on telephone, smile in stores, smile to your colleagues. Your subconscious mind is just waiting to run whatever program you plug into it. Stress is a kind of program with an endless negative loop. Smiling is like pressing 'break' key. Smile enough and that becomes a new program in its own right. You will feel happier and everyone around you will respond positively.