(HealthDay News) -- A key way to handle stress is not to avoid life's challenges, but to deal with them head-on, the Cleveland Clinic says.

The clinic offers these suggestions for women:

• Deal directly with challenging situations, instead of avoiding them.
• Accept and embrace change as an opportunity to learn.
• Focus on the present, rather than worrying about the future.
• Trust your instincts and listen to what your "gut" tells you.
• Honor and accept yourself.
• Don't be afraid to seek professional help when you need it.