In the last ten years stress and coping methods have become the favorite subjects for the media and publishing industry. We get flooded with tweets and blogs, movies and reality shows, self-help books and psychology journals, all exploring the origins and effects of stress, in an attempt to "cure" it. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is no cure. There are just ways to make the pain bearable.

Like with any problem, the first step towards solving it is accepting it. No more sleepless nights wallowing in self-pity or envying our friends for being so relaxed (they have such great bosses). No more wishing we could have more time, better luck, more beautiful bodies or that people would just leave us alone. None of that. The world we dream of does not exist. Even characters in soap operas have problems.

The next step is to visualize the problem. Once the problem is no longer abstract, but real, the solution will be easier to grasp. The most common symbols associated with stress and stress factors are rocks, suggesting a psychological burden. What you should do is make a list of all the things in your life that are causing you stress and make the list as specific as possible: do not write "job", but "the deadline that is coming up on Monday", do not fret about your "appearance", but identify those two pimples that you cannot seem to get rid of (you get my point). Then, one by one, take each of those stress factors, turn them into rocks of different sizes and stuff them in your backpack. Feel that weight. That is the weight that presses on your back and keeps you from sleeping at night.

Finally, now that we have visualized the problem it is time to solve it. Look in the backpack again and pull out one of the smallest rocks. Look at it individually; see what shape, what color it is and if you truly have a need for it (just like spring cleaning). "So what if I am late? It happens. I will apologize". Try to move progressively through your backpack and you will see that the bigger rocks are not that scary any more. Lighten the weight by throwing out the unnecessary pebbles, so you can focus on the boulders and roll them downhill faster.

Remember, take them separately. Stress factors travel in packs, so do not let them weigh you down. And if you ever need help with your visualizing, take George Clooney's seminar in "Up in the Air".

BH Yao invites the online community to read more articles on personal & professional development, building leadership, success skills, and helping people to unlock their true potential at Self Empowering Tips. Check out other articles on Anxiety Breathing Disorders http://www.selfempoweringtips.com/stress-and-anxiety.