One of the greatest sources of stress comes from the people we know, sometimes even the ones we love. Think of the mother who can't resist nagging, the spouse who refuses to do his share of chores, or the friend who can never keep her lunch plans with you. Annoying, right?

Then add in those people that we're forced to deal with — the moody boss, the nosy neighbor, or the hostile sales clerk. Just navigating the land mine of human relations can be a major source of stress.

For most of us, it's impossible to eliminate all the people in our lives who stress us out. But now that you have fibromyalgia, you might need to mend, tweak, or, in some cases, terminate some of these relationships so that you feel less stress. In some cases, you might need to confront the problem. Talk things over with people who bother you. Don't let bad feelings fester so that you're left feeling angry or annoyed. On some matters, you might be able to reach a compromise or resolution.

When it comes to people you can't avoid, you might have to change the way you relate to them. If your sister drives you crazy, restrict your communication to e-mail and the occasional phone call. If your father-in-law bothers you at family gatherings, you might just have to avoid him as much as possible.

In some cases, you might need to consider ending your energy-sapping relationships. Some people are simply not worth the trouble and stress they cause. Ask yourself, “What am I really getting out of this relationship?” If the relationship is no longer rewarding and possibly even hurtful, then maybe it's time to end it.

Remember, working on the relationships in your life that cause stress might be the toughest challenge of all. In fact, it might cause you some stress while you're in the process. But don't be afraid to speak up and make your needs heard. Your number-one priority now is to take care of your health. Consider the case of Janet.

When Janet first got sick, many friends didn't understand the pain she was experiencing. Even her family members didn't grasp the extent of her challenges. Over time, some of Janet's friends stopped calling her, and Janet didn't bother to try and find them. Instead, she found new friends, especially at her yoga class, who understood her circumstances. “I'm a major believer in keeping the energy around you positive,” she says. “My mantra is: remove all toxic things and toxic people.”

Although Janet was effectively able to rid her life of toxic people, she still couldn't quite get away from family members who don't believe she has anything wrong with her. With them, she has simply chosen to limit her contact and instead spends her time with friends who do understand and a husband and a daughter whom she adores.