You have been doing the things that you have always done, day in and day out. Meeting the deadlines, meeting with the client, braving the traffic, working out, working. Life seems to have been reduced to a never ending routine of appointments especially for the contemporary people, it feels like you can barely make through. And when stress strikes you, it leads to many physical manifestations. Not only does stress wrinkles our face, it also gives us frown lines, activate oil glands and raise our blood pressure. Most importantly, it robs us of time to take care of ourselves and do things that really matter to us.

No matter how difficult our lifetyles maybe, it is best to learn the value of relaxation. You can start by jotting down the things that you think needs to be done. Go through the list regularly. Cross off what you really don’t need to do, and you will feel lighter. As you work your way through the list check off what you’ve done, and you’ll feel more control of your life.

One of the most essential things that you can also do to beat stress is to make sure that you have sufficient sleep. Here are tips to help you have a better night’s sleep:

1 Relax before bedtime; take a walk or read something light; do something that is not stressful.

2 Make sure your bedroom is not noisy. If it is hopelessly noisy, wear earplugs.

3 Avoid taking medicines that are nervous system stimulants.

4 Make sure your bedroom is well ventilated but not too cold.

5 Don’t tuck your sheets in too tight at the bottom of the bed; your feet should feel free and unrestricted.

6 Your sleepwear should be comfortable, not too tight.

7 Avoid lingering in bed when you wake up; instead, get up right away and start moving on with your morning routine.

8 Do some sort of exercise each day that will tire you out.

9 Avoid cigarettes and alcohol at leat 2 hours before bedtime.

10 Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks after dinner.

11 Avoid too much salt in your dinner or after-dinner snacks.

12 Herbal teas such as chamomile and valerian induce sleep.

13 Have a glass of warm milk before bed; it does work.

14 A teaspoon of honey in a cup of hot water induces sleep.

15 Relax before bed in a warm bath.

You can also give your self a meditation exercise (from the book, You Can be Beautiful), to ease out stress. This can only take 15 minutes of your time and you’ll feel so much better. Try this out:

1 Lie flat on your back, and bring your knees up so that your lower back touches the floor.

2 Lower your legs straight out to get your back in a relaxed form.

3 Flop your feet outwards, and have your arms a little out from your sides with the pals facing up.

4 Tilt your head forward a little, to relax your neck.

5 Go through your whole body mentally, focusing your attention on one area ata time. Think ‘relax’ at each area.

6 Start with one foot: the sole, the top, the ankle, the front of the calf, the back of the calf, and so on. Then the other leg.

7 Go through the abdomen, the buttocks, the lower back.

8 For your arm, start with your fingers and work your way up.

9 Finish with the throat, the back of the neck, the jaw, nostrils, eyelids, temples, and forehead.

Someone might have to wake you up, but you’ll be very, very relaxed! You will also be in a very good mood for the entire evening.