1.  Allow yourself plenty of time in the morning. Don’t hit snooze on the alarm. Starting your day without rushing can help keep your stress levels down.

2.  Take an invigorating shower or listen to upbeat music to wake up your body and mind. This will help jump-start your day.

3.  Have a healthy breakfast with some protein and fiber to keep you going all morning. Try oatmeal with low-fat milk or an egg with whole grain toast. Pack a healthy lunch too!

4.  When you get to work, write down the most urgent things that should be done. Respond to the most important emails or calls first. But, don’t forget about less urgent items. Write down a list of what you hope to get done by the end of the day.

5.  Smile when you talk to people on the phone. Others will “hear” your smile in the tone of your voice. Even if you don’t feel like smiling, try it. You may find that it helps you have a more positive outlook. Smiling can “trick” your brain into feeling happy.

6.  Don’t get overwhelmed. If your workload isn’t doable, speak up. Talk to your supervisor about small concerns before they become big problems. You may be able to get a deadline extension or find a creative way to get it done with help from a coworker.

7.  Get to bed on time so you can start fresh and rested again tomorrow. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Allow for some relaxing activity before bedtime to get your body and mind ready for sleep.

Sources: American Institute of Stress, National Sleep Foundation