Unfortunately, the pursuit of perfection doesn't make us happier or ease stress. A perfect body doesn't solve your emotional problems, a shiny new car doesn't mean you're any more likely to be taken seriously at work and a meticulously kept house can't keep you from financial issues.

It is possible to change how you communicate with others. You may have habitual ways of interacting, but like driving or playing the piano, communicating is a skill that can be practiced and learned.

When left unattended, strong emotions can lead to destructive behaviors. Attending to times that you feel hurt, belittled, let down, disrespected, insulted or threatened is key to dealing with the anger that often comes from those experiences.

Job demands can certainly cause stress. But your own reaction to those demands can have a significant impact on the intensity of stress you experience.

We all smooth over the truth and bend in our standards from time to time in order to reduce conflict and make relationships work. But when pleasing others becomes a habit you may find yourself resentful, which ultimately damages your relationships.

What we too frequently overlook, when we try to make changes, is what is happening around us that either boosts motivation or contributes to slipping back into the status quo.

If you've ever been threatened and felt that rush of strength and energy that made you more physically capable than you have been at other times, then you've experienced the body's stress response.

Finding healthy ways to manage your work stress each day can keep you going and make it less likely that you'll develop unhealthy habits.