We all have to deal with stressful situations every day. Jenna Towler discovers some of our tactics for dealing with them date back to our caveman ancestors.

STRESS of some kind is probably a part of your everyday life.

The phone at work just won't stop ringing, the children won't stop fighting, the DVD player just won't work be it big or small, stress can get to you wherever you are.

But getting back to nature, even if it's just a walk in the park can calm your frayed nerves and bring you back down to earth.

A recent survey found that out of 2,000 adults, daily stress levels were a big problem.

Stressful experiences included the morning commute, work in general and getting up early.

The survey revealed that stressed out people become calmer when they are in touch with nature and showed the sight and sounds of the sea to be the most effective way of reducing tension.

Most of those questioned said that being in contact with the natural elements makes them feel instantly more relaxed.

Almost half of those surveyed said that seeing the sea helped to relieve the stress, a third said a walk in the park worked for them, and others mentioned the smell of freshly cut grass or the sound of birds singing.

Dr George Fieldman, a cognitive therapist and evolutionary psychologist is an expert in stress management.

He says the sea could well calm people down, but there are many other factors which affect stress relief.

He said: "It is a very complex issue. Is viewing a sea view the thing that makes one feel good or is it the things associated with it?

"That said, because the risk of the sea view being a mistake and not lowering your stress levels is a small risk to take, it does not really matter. You may as well give it a try," says Dr Fielding.

Dr Fieldman also says it is difficult to separate the psychological benefits of taking a walk in the park or by the sea from the well known physiological benefits derived from exercise.

"It is good to be able to look at things objectively," Dr Fieldman continues. "Do not stress about something you cannot control.

"For example one might be cautious about travelling on public transport after the London bombings.

"Once I have taken all the precautions I personally wish to take I can relax," he says.

"If you stay away from public transport because of fear it builds up and becomes more and more stressful when you get on the next time."

The High Wycombe psychologist recommends people who are easily stressed by their boss at work should try to have different sources of income, from different jobs. He says we should not have one person on whom we depend financially.

He also says good personal relationships with family and friends are essential. Dr Fieldman has a theory that people find comfort in communing with nature because of a connection with the behaviour of our distant ancestors.

He suggests that staring at the television, for example, is comforting because of the way that our ancestors may have stared at a flickering flame, possibly in the confidence that this would see off any potential predators.