Advice for the overly tense executive.

• Position: STRESS - Brief article

Bonnie Roesch, a stress consultant and massage therapist from Buffalo, N.Y., who works with stressed-out executives, advises that a "five-minute vacation" from workplace pressures can substantially increase effectiveness and decrease frustration and physical pain. Stress can cause fatigue, clouded judgment and lessened effectiveness--traits no executive wants to experience, Roesch says.

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As many chief financial officers and treasurers have undoubtedly been suffering from heightened levels of tension and workplace anxiety since the economic meltdown hit, Roesch says there are several keys to easing stress. First, identify the source of the discomfort--headaches, allergies, pains in the knee, hip or back, even acid reflux. Then plan for taking yourself on a stress "vacation."

* Set a specific time and mark it on the calendar.

*...