| If you're feeling like everything is getting | | | | 4. Increase calmness and feel great by |
| on top of you, or you're finding it difficult | | | | indulging in massage. Share a massage with |
| to cope or function, or you're feeling down | | | | your partner - create a relaxing atmosphere |
| in the dumps, then try these 5 easy-to-do | | | | by softening the lights and have oils and |
| tips to relieve tension and stress and boost | | | | towels to hand. Lavender oil is particularly |
| your spirits: | | | | relaxing. Or, treat yourself to a massage |
| | | | from a professional masseur or masseuse. For |
| 1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles | | | | a really invigorating massage, visit a |
| and a glass of your favourite drink: beer, | | | | Turkish baths if you're fortunate enough to |
| tea, hot chocolate, wine or even champagne. | | | | have one nearby. Massage is very relaxing and |
| Close the door and forget about everything | | | | increases intimacy between lovers. It's one |
| else for an hour or so. This helps to | | | | huge stress buster as well but be warned, |
| increase levels of calmness and the calmer we | | | | it's addictive! Not a bad thing to be |
| feel, the less likely we are to get stressed | | | | addicted to though, and it will do you no end |
| out or depressed. | | | | of good. |
| | | | |
| 2. Comedy night: get in your favourite | | | | 5. Spend a week without watching any |
| nibbles: chips, tortillas, salsa, crackers, | | | | television. Television can fill your mind |
| cheese, pizza, chocolate, cookies, ice cream | | | | with negativity, bombard you with image |
| etc. Crack open a bottle of wine or pour | | | | manipulation via commercials and give you a |
| yourself a beer or two and spend a full | | | | distorted view of reality by showing you |
| evening watching your favourite funny films | | | | everything that's bad about the world. |
| or comedians. Laughter raises our spirits and | | | | Famines, disasters, murders, violence, war - |
| is a great antidote to the stresses and | | | | the list is endless - and news programmes and |
| trials of modern living. | | | | soap operas are full of such events. So give |
| | | | your mind a break from this assault on your |
| 3. Get out of the firing line: Take off for | | | | senses. Abandon the television for a week and |
| some peace and quiet for a day or better | | | | do something more rewarding instead: Read a |
| still a weekend or a week. Take a journal, | | | | book, listen to music, socialize, workout, go |
| relax and gather your thoughts. When we're | | | | for a walk or try your hand at something new. |
| under pressure or struggling to cope with a | | | | If you need to hear the news, listen to a |
| major situation or event in life, seeing | | | | radio news bulletin once a day. But try and |
| solutions to our problems can be really | | | | avoid them for one week, replace them with |
| difficult. Distance from problems can bring | | | | something more life enhancing and see how you |
| clarity and relieve tension. I love going to | | | | feel. |
| the coast when I feel like this and it | | | | |
| always, without fail, helps me to calm down | | | | The above ideas are very simple to implement |
| and find solutions. I don't know why but | | | | but they are also very effective in helping |
| there's something really soothing about being | | | | to relieve stress and tension. Give them a |
| near the ocean. Being near water, come to | | | | try and watch your mood levels rise! |
| think of it. | | | | |
| | | | Until next time. |