Here are five tips to deal with stress, courtesy of Mary McNaughton-Cassill, an associate professor of psychology at UTSA who specializes in stress-management research.

Shut off the TV and stereo for a few hours. The sounds are taking up sensory and cognitive energy, even if you're not paying close attention to them. And don't check e-mail, even if you think you might be missing something.

Be more conscious of how you're spending your time. Besides making a to-do list, make a list every day of what you actually did so you can see how much you accomplished.

Do something purely for enjoyment. At least a few times a week, if not daily. Take a gymnastics class, for example, or distract yourself with an absorbing movie. “The activities don't have to be hours and hours. You can get a lot of bang for your buck even if it's only a couple of times a week because you can look forward to it,” McNaughton-Cassill said.

Spend time in nature hiking, walking or gardening. And leave the mp3 player at home. Make it a point to spend time with your pets or other animals.

Take up a craft or hobby. Try woodworking, painting or knitting, something that involves creating something tangible. It's satisfying to finish and say, “Look what I did.” Even housecleaning can help because it's physical and productive; when you're done, you feel like you're in control.