Do you need to find stress management tools to keep your partner from stressing you out? Are relationships hard work? You bet they are. Not just the relationship with your partner but what about your friends, family and coworkers. Since relationships are inevitable learning to keep them stress free is your best defense against stress.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Familiarity breeds contempt" It's true. We take for granted the people we care about the most. Promising to love honor and obey but only if your spouse, agree with you. This is the harsh reality of many marriages and relationships. It's in our nature to want to be "right".

Lights Camera Action - Here's the scenario. my husband comes home from work. He's just worked a 10 hour day, he in a foul mood he grumbles at me and kids. I resent his attitude and don't care how his day went. My only concern is how he's made me feel. Now I'm ready to explode with pent-up frustration. Needless to say, everyone is unhappy. Stresses in your relationship is easier to ignore then to confront.

Out of sight, out of mind doesn't work when it comes to relationships. Internalizing problems has an effect on the body whether we know it or not. It could be as simple as feeling a knot in your stomach when that person comes around or as severe as causing a panic attack or worse a heart attack.

So how do we deal with this situation? Here are 5 ways stress relief techniques can stress proof your relationship.

1.Realize you have a choice. In ever situation you have a choice conscious or subconscious choice on who we react. Acknowledge what you can control and what you cannot. Having choices gives you more control.

2.Focus on the positive side of the situation there's usually something positive in every situation you just have to look for it.

3.Walk away. Often in a stress situation the best thing to do is walk away. It allows times to collect your thoughts and re-evaluate your actions

4.Realize this too shall pass. Most things are temporary and will soon run their course. Hard to believe at times but it's true.

5. See the big picture. Stress is in the details of things that have no long term value. Focus on the big picture and what's really important in life. By doing this so many of the little things will become insignificant.

I invite you to use these tips and techniques to keep your relationship strong, happy and stress-free