职场压力会对工作产生很大的影响，生活压力也会影响到工作。Stress is a normal part of life and usually comes from everyday occurrences. Here are some ways you can deal with everyday sources of stress.

(1) Eliminate as many sources of stress as you can. 尽量减少压力源。For example, if crowds bother you, go to the supermarket when you know the lines won't be too long. Try renting videotapes rather than going to crowded movie theaters. Clear up the clutter¹ in your life by giving away or throwing away the things that get in your way. A garage sale is one effective way to do this.

(2)If you are always running late, sit down with a pencil and paper and see how you are actually allotting² your time. 安排好时间。Say it takes you 40 minutes to get to work. Are you leaving your house on time? You may be able to solve your problem (and de-stress your life a bit) just by being realistic. If you can't find the time for all the activities that are important to you, maybe you are trying to do too much. Again, make a list of what you do during the day and how much each activity takes. Then cut back.

(3) Avoid predictably stressful situations. 避免参加让你有压力的活动。 If a certain sport or game makes you tense (whether it's tennis or bridge), decline the invitation to play. After all, the point of these activities is to have a good time. If you know you won't, there's no reason to play.

(4)If you can't remove the stress, remove yourself. 逃离一会。Slip away once in a while for some private time. These quiet moments may give you a fresh perspective on your problems. Avoid stressful people. For example, if you don't get along with your father-in-law but you don't want to make an issue of it, invite other in-laws at the same time you invite him. Having other people around will absorb some of the pressure you would normally feel.

(5)Competing with others, whether in accomplishments³, appearance, or possessions, is an avoidable source of stress. 不要和别人攀比。You might know people who do all they can to provoke envy in others. While it may seem easy to say you should be satisfied with what you have, it's the truth. Stress from this kind of jealousy⁴ is self-inflicted. (to be continued)