Stress is part of every person's life, but working mothers have more than their fair share of it. If you are a working mother, you probably feel like you are juggling in order to keep both your career and your family running smoothly. Even more difficult can be to find harmony between the two. When your boss wants you to stay late, but day care will penalize you for late pickup, it may seem like the different parts of your life just do not fit together. Whatever your individual challenges, these eight stress-reduction tips can help you reduce tension and find balance in your life.

1. Face your stress

Figure out the things that cause the most stress in your life. The easiest way to identify your stressors is to sit down and make a list of all of the things you worry about or dread doing; they will be different for everyone, so really think about what your individual triggers are. Consider not only the events that stress you, but other factors like time of day or circumstances such as being hungry. For example, are you chronically late for work because it is hard to get your toddler ready in the morning? Or, maybe you are a morning person and by nighttime you cannot deal with helping the kids with their homework. Or maybe you get upset easily when you are overtired or hungry. Whatever the issues are, identifying them is the first step toward dealing with the stress in your everyday life.

2. Prioritize

Once you have a list of all the things that cause stress for you – and the list may be really long – you are ready to prioritize the items on your list. First, group them by how stressful they are to you. Which things are minor stressors and which ones really cause you angst? It is impossible to remove stress from your life entirely – and some stress is good for you – but you can identify the areas where you may be able to remove worry from your life.

Second, you need to prioritize the items on your list by how important it is that you deal with the items. If you are stressed by the fact that you are undergoing medical treatment, you cannot hire someone to take it over for you. However, if dirty bathrooms drive you nuts, you may be able to find someone to do that chore over for you. Make sure you are realistic – just because your husband doesn't fold the towels the same way you do does not mean you can't delegate the laundry task to him.

3. Get rid of stress

It sounds easy, doesn't it? It can be. Look at your list and identify a couple of the things that cause you the most stress and that you are not the only one who can handle it. Are there things you can get rid of entirely? If not, look for items you can at least partially delegate. Be creative. Can you buy pre-made cupcakes for your turn to bring preschool treats? If your mornings are too hectic, maybe you can hire a college student to help get your kids ready for school. If you ordered lunch in, would it be easier to get out of the office on time every night? If you cannot get rid of things that are already on your plate, think about how to say no to future commitments. Saying "no" when someone asks for your time can make a big difference in how you spend your time.

4. Eliminate things that make stress worse and fend off stress with good health

Skipping meals or not getting enough sleep may not actually be the cause of your stress, but they can certainly exacerbate it. Make sure you take care of yourself, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Eat healthy nutritious foods and avoid junk food. While junk food may give you a short-term energy boost, over the long-term whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins will keep you ready for action. Often, how you deal with stress is more important than the stress itself actually is.

5. Exercise

Another great way to alleviate the negative impact of stress in your life is to get physical exercise. You do not have to run marathons or become a body builder to see health benefits; taking walks, swimming, doing toning exercises, biking and other performing moderate activities regularly can dramatically improve your physical condition, Not only does exercise improve your physical health, it improves energy levels and contributes to a sense of emotional well-being.

6. Find emotional support

While you may not be able to remove all the stress from your life, you can often lighten the load just by talking about it. Whether you confide in trusted friends, family members or a mental health professional, discussing the difficulties you encounter is very helpful for many women. Share not only the problems you face, but the feelings they cause you to have.

7. Set aside time for yourself

It often seems impossible to carve out some time for your own interests. Some of us are so busy we cannot even remember what our own interests might be. But, it is critical to step away from the obligations of your work and family occasionally to do something just for you. Whether you spend your time pursuing a hobby or just take some quiet time with a book and a bubble bath, any time you spend on yourself will make you a happier, healthier and better mother, wife and employee. Haven't taken any time in a while? Plan an overnight getaway to supercharge yourself.

8. Use relaxation techniques

You know you need to get enough sleep every night, but you may need to get some more intensive relaxation. Try yoga, deep breathing or meditation to help you stay calm and control your reactions to stressful situations. If those methods are too esoteric for you, treat yourself to a massage. The relaxation in your muscles will quickly impact the rest of you.