The best way for a working woman to beat the stress of juggling career and family is to get her Wheaties, a publisher of a major woman's magazine advised.

Deborah Armstrong, associate publisher of Working Woman magazine shared her "30 ways to manage stress'' with a audience at the Sonesta Beach Hotel this weekend.

And eating a proper breakfast was one of her common-sense tips for coping with the rat-race and children.

Ms Armstrong was on the Island last week at the invitation of the women's research and development group, Akinstall International, to discuss economic issues facing women.

The 30 "sanity saving'' solutions were the result of a major research survey conducted by her magazine throughout North America.

In addition to eating a healthy breakfast, cutting back on caffeine, avoiding alcohol, taking vitamins and drinking enough water were some of the proven stress-busting methods she cited.

"Exercise is the best stress releaser,'' Ms Armstrong said. "Get lots of sleep and try to write stuff down on paper. Make lists, don't try to remember everything.'' To mentally unwind, Ms Armstrong suggested, reviewing and renewing your priorities.

"Don't worry about everything,'' she said. "Either do something about it or forget about it. Don't be a worry-wart.'' And, she said, "Make sure you are financially secure. That way you don't have to worry about your future in the company.'' She added: "Never get too comfortable at a job. Always keep up your resume and abreast of the job market so that if something happens, you are ready to get out there and find another job. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.'' Ms Armstrong said although stress for married men, with children, decreases once they return home from work, it increases for working mothers who "were facing that notorious second shift''.

To relieve some of the "personal'' stress she suggested working mothers set aside time to do something entirely for themselves.

"Make time for yourself,'' Ms Armstrong said. "Spread the chore load and if you can afford it get yourself some outside help.'' She also advise working women to never skip vacations.

In addition to discussing stress management, Ms Armstrong pointed out that by the year 2000, women will own half of all businesses in America.

"The increase in women-owned businesses has been driven by many things,'' she said. "Frustration with the glass ceiling and the fact that we are more educated are the main factors.'' She said women-owned businesses frequently had "friendlier'' benefits for their workers than other companies.

Low cost programmes like "telecommuting'' -- where workers work from home using computers -- were the best programmes since they were cost effective and resulted in increased moral and productivity, she added.

Ms Armstrong said: "Although child care programmes are socially appealing, they are not cost effective from a bottom-line point of view. If you are going to institute a programme you should at least try not to lose money on it.'' During her six-day visit, Ms Armstrong also addressed an invitation-only audience on how to target the international business market for women, the role it would play, and Bermuda as a major business and resort destination for women's conferences.

She also discussed the business environment for women, the opportunities and interests of Bermudian women, and profiled key professional women and women's groups.

STRESS-BUSTER -- Deborah Armstrong, Working Woman magazine associate publisher