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