By Jaleh Donaldson

Stress is something we all experience on a regular basis. Avoiding stress altogether may be impossible, but the good news is that you can do certain things to alleviate it. Try one of these six quick fixes the next time you need relief—fast!

Breathe deep.
When we’re stressed, our breathing is often shallow and short, which actually kicks our stress response into high gear. Try this deep breathing exercise to activate your relaxation response: Put one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. Slowly breathe in through your nose (think about breathing down into your belly, as opposed to puffing up your chest). Then exhale extra-slowly through your mouth, gently squeezing all the air from your lungs. You can add a light sighing sound as you exhale if you’d like. Repeat until you begin to feel calm.

Imagine a peaceful, relaxing place.
When we are in stressful situations, it helps to visualize being in a relaxing place. It helps our minds to clear, the tension to leave our bodies, and enables us to recoup our emotional and physical strength.

Think realistically.
Sometimes our negative thinking makes things seem worse than they really are. For example, let’s say your boss appears to have an angry look on his face, so you conclude that he’s angry with you. The truth is he might be stressed out for reasons of his own. Look at the facts before you jump to conclusions.

Laugh out loud.
Laughing releases endorphins, which are natural substances in your body that can help reduce stress. Call a funny friend; watch a comical movie; read a book of jokes; or link to a funny Web site or blog.

Let go of the things you can’t control.
Many aspects of our environment are beyond our control, and stressing about them just wastes our time and energy. For example, you can’t change how other people drive. Remind yourself to be realistic about what you can and can’t control.

Be sweet to yourself.
Taking a break from our daily routines can help minimize feelings of stress, but what about those times when you feel like you don’t have a minute to spare? Take just half a minute to pencil some “me” time into your planner. Book a massage appointment or a hair appointment, make a reservation at your favorite restaurant, schedule an exercise class, coffee with a friend, or time to read and relax… Just giving yourself something to look forward to can instantly brighten your mood!

Excerpted with permission from Life’s Little How To Book by Jaleh Donaldson, a self-help book with easy-to-understand tips, now available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores.