Between balancing the desires of loved ones big and small, it's inevitable that you'll have your share of challenges. The key to getting through them? Come to your own emotional rescue. Even if you use only one of these easy techniques, you can stop a bad mood in its tracks and recharge. Pick one and see:

Seek out your buddies

One of the best ways to handle stress is to get together with friends who can help you put your problems in perspective. "I often head over to our local coffee shop. Whether I'm meeting a friend or just shooting the breeze with whoever's there, getting out of the house and talking to other grown-ups helps clear my mind," says Jane Rohman of Blandford, Massachusetts. So go ahead and meet your most empathetic pal for lunch; you deserve the break.

[BLUE_TEXT_BOLD {Plan a laugh}]

You needn't wait for your little one to crack you up. Research suggests that simply anticipating something funny -- say, saving that great joke so you can tell it to your mate at dinnertime -- can reduce tension, anger, and fatigue. "I tape Saturday Night Live to watch after the kids are in bed. Knowing I have that to look forward to can help me get through the rough parts of the day," says Parenting staffer Maura Rhodes of Montclair, New Jersey, a mom of three.

[BLUE_TEXT_BOLD {Jog around the block}]

You've heard it a million times: Work out and you'll feel great. The good news: Exercising for just ten minutes -- a brisk walk or a quick bike ride -- can raise your spirits and energy levels for two hours, say experts. Don't have anyone to watch the baby while you go for a run? Put her in a bouncy seat, push back the rug, and entertain her by jumping rope.

Belt one out

When your kids need calming, you croon to them. So why not to yourself? People who sing in a choir feel less stressed, according to a recent British study, but you can burst into song anywhere (in the shower, along with the radio) to get the same benefits. That's because singing usually involves deep breathing -- a common antidote to anxiety -- and can be strenuous enough to have some of the same recharging effects as exercise. Just don't be alarmed when you realize your repertoire isn't what it used to be. "Even when my daughter isn't with me, I sing tunes from Bear in the Big Blue House," says Melinda Konopko of New York City. But that too has its own rewards: "I end up laughing at myself, which always puts me in a much better mood," she adds.

Fake it

Yes, it sounds hokey, but studies show that simply acting like you're in a good mood can actually put you in one. So stand tall, put some pep in your step, and grin as if you're on top of the world -- and before you know it you'll be smiling for real.

Breathe deeply

When you're stressed, you tend to breathe too quickly, leaving higher-than-normal levels of carbon dioxide and lower levels of oxygen in your blood. This can make you feel even more anxious. The solution: abdominal breathing. Lean slightly forward; breathe in through your nose, pushing your belly out; and exhale through your mouth, contracting your ab muscles into your spine. Do this for a minute or two a couple of times a day. You'll feel calmer and eventually strengthen your abs.

Turn life upside down

When you feel you're in a rut, do something you normally wouldn't: Take your kids ice-skating, have a picnic on the family room floor, see a movie in the middle of the day. Jen Singer of Kinnelon, New Jersey, sometimes drops what she's planned and takes her two children, ages 6 and 5, on a hike or an impromptu ride on the carousel at the mall. "The change of scenery always helps," she says. Being spontaneous not only helps you feel more in control but also gives you back a sense of adventure.

Stacey Colino, a mother of two, lives in Maryland and writes frequently for Parenting.

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