I find that stress comes in waves. Then, somehow, you manage to resolve all the issues, and for a time there is very little stress. Then it comes again. Being able to prepare other parts of your life ahead of time seem to help offset the degree to which the stress has an impact. I find it I make a timeline for a project, I'm not only able to see the linear steps required to accomplish it, I can also see (to some degree) the "stress points" that will come along at certain points. If I can identify these, then I'll try to mentally prepare for them and also do what I can to put a reward in after them. An example would be that if I know the end of the week is going to be intense with meetings and deadlines, I'll lock off three hours to go to a concert or a movie. Knowing that I have something good to come to at the other end helps me to offload the intensity of the stress.