Times are tough and things don't seem to be looking up. Many people struggle day after day in hopes that things will turn around and get better.

But day by day the world is becoming a crazier and more uncertain place to live in, not to mention stressful. Nothing seems safe anymore. Millions of people are in record levels of debt. Many are losing their jobs, their homes, their health and sometimes even their sanity. Worry, depression and anxiety seem to have become a way of life for way too many people.

Living in the 21st century has taken it's toll on many people because of living with constant stress and anxiety. Time magazine did a story back in 2002 proclaiming that we are now living in the Age of Anxiety. The constant stress and worry was magnified by the attacks of September 11th and still several years later people have reported that they are still scared that something could happen again.

Disturbing images and stories are plastered all over the news just about everyday. People start to question if they are safe anymore. The Internet has created an information age, information has never before been so easily accessible.

Rising gas prices, beastly housing costs, and heinous food costs have driven many Americans to work unsatisfying jobs just to collect a paycheck.

Having more women in the workplace adds to the stress. So many women feel the need to be everything to everyone and that includes a paycheck earner, house keeper, mom, wife, daughter, and sibling. The only problem with that is some women just dont make any time for themselves thus contributing to their stress levels being at an all-time high. Even children can feel the pressure of stress and anxiety. Teenagers who want to go to college find themselves pushing themselves during their studies to try and obtain scholarships so they can attend schools that have ever increasing tuition costs.

They find themselves having to hold down part-time jobs on top of all that to earn money for extras that their parents can no longer afford. Add peer pressure into the mix and you have a veritable pressure cooker! Cell phones, internet, palm pilots, blackberries, i-pods " we are always on the go and always reachable. We dont make time to relax and enjoy life any more. Why not? We certainly should! We feel pressure to do these things because we think we HAVE to, not because we WANT to. All too often, its difficult for people to just say No. Not saying that one little word piles up un-needed expectations and obligations that make us feel anxious.

All of us will experience situations that may cause us to become stressed or feel anxious. The reasons are too many to note but can include, buying a property, having guests stay over (in-laws!), being bullied, exams, looking after children, managing finances, relationship issues, traveling etc. Stress is a normal function of everyday life. Only when it appears to take over our lives does it then become a problem.

You have everything inside you that you need to overcome your stress and the accompanying anxiety. The problem is, often we don't realize that we are in control because we feel so out of control at time. But the tools are there, you just have to use them.

Chris has been writing articles for several years online. Come visit his latest website over at http://www.multi-purposeladder.com/ which helps people find the best multi purpose aluminium ladders for your next home improvement project!