Most of us are feeling higher levels of stress and anxiety these days. Recent surveys by Jacuzzi Premium Spas found that Americans felt a sharp increase in anxiety about the economy and terrorism within a week of the start of war with Iraq. Of the 1,000 participants, 23 percent listed the economy as their main cause of stress (over job or work-related issues) while 15 percent said terror threats caused them the most anxiety. One week after the start of the war, these numbers increased to 31 percent and 25 percent respectively. Psychologists have also reported that more than half of their patients are emotionally affected by the war, according to a recent survey from the American Psychological Association (APA).

Stress from war or terror threats differs from stress in the workplace or household, says Debra Martelli, a New Jersey-based psychotherapist. "The fears involved here are survival fears and fears of the unknown," she says. And it's this feeling of uncertainty along with a lack of control that psychologists say causes increased anxiety.

"With a situation at work or home, there is usually an element that you can change," says Lauren Howard, a psychotherapist in New York. "With the situation we are in now, there is nothing you and I can do that will affect the outcome." The good news? You can get a handle on your stress by taking control of your immediate environment and practicing stress-reduction techniques.

Take a break from the news: "Turn off the television," suggests Martelli. "Watching too much war coverage just adds to your anxiety." The APA also suggests limiting your news intake to no more than one hour a day and avoiding the news right before bedtime.