Once upon a time, stress was the body's warning system to either fight or flee from aggressors (think wild animals and unfriendly neighbors), making it essential for staying alive. Now stress is more likely to be a long-term reaction to the faster pace of life (think job security, relationships or just fitting everything into a day). Short-term stress can be exciting, but research shows that the over-production of hormones caused by long term stress can upset the mind and body, causing serious illnesses. We can't stop our body's natural response to stress, but we can learn how to cope with it better. Handbag Hints: Destress contains a wealth of simple exercises to relax the body and mind as well as techniques to help you deal with those manic moments. When life is throwing you everything but the kitchen sink, you'll be cucumber cool with this pocket-size stress buster!