ow have things been at the office lately? Are your obligations piling up? Are your days getting so hectic that you feel a bit out of control? Perhaps you've caught yourself snapping impatiently at your colleagues. Or maybe you're catching colds more often or losing the spring in your step.

When your workload increases, you still need to give your clients the best service possible. But how do you manage stress when you're under pressure?

Avoid coping traps

Some people cope by drinking caffeinated drinks to stay awake longer and squeeze a few more hours into their day. Others try to instill calm by eating comfort foods. Still others drink cocktails to unwind. However, they all soon find out caffeinated drinks make you jumpy; staying up late leaves you bleary-eyed the next morning; overeating makes you feel heavy and bloated; and alcohol never solves anyone's problems.

Seek smart solutions

So, what should you do to get your workload under control and relieve stress? Here are some tips:

· Ask for help: It's not a sign of weakness to acknowledge that you need help. But it is an indication of an inflated sense of pride if you prefer to go down in flames (and take others with you) because you won't ask for assistance when you need it.

· Delegate: Sometimes telling someone to take over a task is even better than asking for help in completing it. Delegating is especially beneficial if you can train the person to take over the task permanently. Then you can devote your time and energy to other responsibilities.

· Expect to please many, but not all: Do the best you can with what you have and then move on. Don't waste your resources trying to make things perfect, because there is no such thing. You will not be able to please everyone.

· Stop the free ride: We get into trouble when we assume responsibility for other people's tasks. If you are completing duties for people who are not pulling their own weight, it's time to stop the freeloading. They must step up to the plate. And if they don't, let them suffer the consequences and learn from the experience.

· Prioritize: It is your job to prioritize your tasks. If you know it will be months before you can address a task at the bottom of your list, give those who want the job done the opportunity to find someone else who can do the work now. This is a preferable solution for everyone involved, and it takes the heat off of you.

· Just say no: It is fine to say no to more work when you are taking on too many responsibilities. For example, perhaps you've become the assumed meeting organizer for your office. Others on staff can probably organize meetings, too. But, since you've done it successfully in the past, and you haven't said no, the task continues to fall on you. Until you speak up, it will remain on your plate.

Stress is a part of everyday life, but it doesn't have to affect your health and your job performance. If you can set realistic expectations, voice your opinions and be honest about what you can accomplish, you will be well on your way to managing stress with finesse.