Small ongoing conflicts increase by three to five times the chances that you'll come down with a stress-related illness. So, take these small ongoing steps to reduce stress at work and at home ... and keep yourself healthy:

Perform these three exercises for quick, on-the-spot stress relief:

• Close your hands in a tight fist for 10 seconds and slowly open them. Repeat five times.
• Roll your head from side to side. Repeat five times.
• Tighten your toes, hold them for 10 seconds, and release. Repeat five times.

Stand up and look out the window. People who sit near a window report fewer headaches, back pain and exhaustion. If you sit in a cubicle, walk around the building every couple of hours.

Eat your fruits and vegetables; we all feel better when we eat right.

Find creative solutions to the things that bug you. Stress stems from dwelling on the problem instead of looking for ways to take control.

Example: Your commute takes an hour every day because of gridlock, so you arrive at work frazzled and tense from the traffic. Instead of concentrating on the source of your tension—the traffic—listen to a book on tape or CD. By taking control of the situation, you'll reduce your stress.