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.

The anxiety I experience over money woes is more than offset by how empowered I feel because I'm doing something I enjoy. I write, I publish, I design, I network, I learn new things every day... and I get paid for it! (Well, most of time. And if money is slow coming in, there are always things I can do to try to drum up a little bit more.)

The fact that success or failure of my home business rests entirely on my shoulders adds to my stress-level. But at same time, it's exhilarating -- and is what drives me and other home-based entrepreneurs to take on too many projects.

My three days in bed were actually a delight. I didn't even turn on my computer and did little else but watch old movies on television. It's a shame it took a little sore throat and fever to force me to slow down -- and now that I'm back on job, I'm determined not to let it happen again!

Here are some tips to help you (and me!) get off frustrating cycle of work-binge and rest-purge:

1. Set regular work hours... and stick to them!

2. When work-time is over, turn off computer. Don't check email!

3. Get some exercise - it not only helps rid your body of symptoms of stress, but it clears your head and gives you energy to work more efficiently.

4. Get out of house! Take a walk, go to mall, indulge in a designer latte.

5. Pamper yourself - Get a haircut, a massage, a manicure or buy yourself a little something special. Do this at least once a week and enjoy.

6. Make a playdate with your kids.

7. Make a playdate with your partner. (No, not your work partner! Unless that really appeals to you...)

8. Read a book for FUN... or see a movie. Whatever you like, as long as it does not relate to your business.

9. Catch up with old friends and make some new ones.

10. Consider time you have and use it wisely. Just say no to extracurricular activities that do nothing to advance your family's well-being or that of your business.

Will I be following my own advice? Yes - but not all at same time. Two or three of these a week can make a lot of difference.

Now, if you'll excuse me -- I'm off to Starbucks for that latte.