Women, take a time-out

This is particularly true of women trying to balance career and family. But it's important not to let your to-do list take over your life. Taking time out to do the things that replenish you isn't an indulgence, says Reid, it's a health precaution.

If you sacrifice your own peace of mind in the name of responsibility, you run the risk of depleting your resources and falling prey to a variety of stress-related ailments. And this is likely to take a bigger toll on your family than insisting on some down time.

Here are strategies for carving out time for yourself without falling behind, fouling things up, or feeling guilty:

Schedule chores. Is your never ending to-do list making it difficult to enjoy what little leisure time you have? One solution is to schedule a regular time to complete certain tasks, Reid says. If you know that Wednesday is laundry night, Saturday is shopping day and Sunday is the day to pay bills, these tasks won't weigh on you during your downtime.

Frontload your schedule. If you are assigned a project with a long lead time, don't wait until the last minute to finish it. Knock it out right away. This will help reduce your stress level and free up time for more pleasurable activities, says Reid.

Plan ahead. Advance preparation can help mothers steal moments for themselves, says Reid. If you pack school lunches the night before, you can use the early morning to do something for yourself. Reid also recommends packing your bag before you go to bed and choosing a week's worth of outfits in advance, so that you don't have to think about what to wear. You might even want to set aside some time on weekends to cook food that can be frozen and reheated throughout the week.

Accept help. For working mothers battling to stay on top of myriad responsibilities, accepting help can feel like admitting defeat. But no one will accuse you of shirking your responsibility just because you accept a helping hand. If a co-worker offers to cover for you so you can leave a little early, say yes, urges Reid. You deserve it.

Reclaim lost time. Many women feel they spend their days moving at warp speed, but even the busiest schedule contains wasted opportunities. Reid recommends writing down exactly how you spend your time to pinpoint lost moments. Do you waste valuable time every day taking the train to work? Or waiting in line at the pharmacy? Rather than simply resigning yourself to the way things are, Reid suggests making a conscious choice to use the time for yourself. Listen to your iPod or read a few pages of a book. Remember: every moment counts.

- Dow Jones