Not all stress is bad. The stress response -- also known as the fight-or-flight response -- occurs automatically and rapidly when a person feels threatened. The physical response may include increased strength and agility, quicker reaction times and increased heart rate and blood pressure. Historically, this response has been important for human survival. But today's stressors, such as jobs, relationships or finances, tend to be prolonged, and they pile up. The result can be a fight-or-flight response that runs far too long, and can cause ill health effects such as digestive difficulties that range from stomachaches to diarrhea, anxiety, irritability, insomnia and depression.

Here are tips to help reduce the negative effects of stress:

Identify the causes: Are they external, such as job difficulties or family problems, or internal, such as perfectionist tendencies? Concentrate on dealing with stressors that can be changed: For example, a diagnosis of diabetes can't be changed, but a patient can change how she manages the condition. Limit needless daily stressors: Plan the day, leaving plenty of time between activities. Learn to say no to commitments you're not up to. Change the pace: Break the routine. Take time each day to relax and do something enjoyable, such as pleasure reading, gardening, interacting with a pet or walking with a friend. Take a mini-vacation from the usual routine. Recognize signs of stress: Some people experience neck or back pain when they are stressed. Others become more forgetful. Whatever the early signs, learn to pay attention so you can interrupt the stress cycle and change what you can control. For stressors beyond your control -- such as the death of a loved one -- it may help to recognize the stressful situation for what it is and try to accept it. Avoid letting the situation and thoughts about it become all consuming. Seeking diversions can help you keep a healthy perspective. mayoclinic/Expanding the Nurse-Family Partnership, with the aim of serving more than 2,000 families by July 2008. NFP is a nurse home-visiting program for low-income, first-time mothers. Nurses interact regularly with women from the time they are pregnant through their child's second birthday to help them take the steps needed to keep themselves and their babies healthy. Offering a single home visit to all families with new babies in parts of Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Through this Newborn Home Visiting Program, Health Department workers assess the safety of the home environment, educate new parents about breastfeeding and safe sleep, and help families access medical care and social services. Promoting breastfeeding through the Breastfeeding Initiative. Most recently, the Health Department and the Health and Hospitals Corporation launched a comprehensive breastfeeding-promotion program to encourage breastfeeding and eliminate formula giveaways in public hospitals. Providing portable cribs and safe-sleep education through the New York City Safe Sleep Initiative. Working with 40 community-based organizations, with funding from the City Council, to reduce infant mortality through health education workshops, outreach, referral services, case management, peer education and other activities.

What Women Can Do To Stay Healthy and Have a Healthy Baby

Plan your pregnancy. Unplanned pregnancies are more likely to result low birth weight, infant death, and poor development. Have a regular doctor or health care provider to help you stay healthy. If you smoke or use alcohol or drugs, get help to stop. Maintain a healthy weight and eat a healthy diet. Keep chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure under control. Get help if you are depressed, overly stressed, or abused. Take folic acid, which helps prevent serious birth defects. Breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding lowers the risk of acquiring infectious diseases that put a new baby at risk of death. Breastfeeding also lowers the risk of SIDS.

nyc/health