DON'T take a CHILL PILL.

Relaxation techniques can help you in a variety of ways. We all need it (you need it, she needs it, I need it, they need it). The best part about relaxing is that enables you to think clearly making you a more effective person.

If you take that train or car during rush hour, I'll bet a fellow pedestrian or driver is going to cut you off. When this happens, it creates a little bit of stress. If this happens 5 times in the time it takes to travel one train ride, you have a stress ball the size of a fist. And all before you even get to work! if you bump into anyone, touch anyone, cut anyone else off, etc.... you got stress.

There are many great relaxation exercises that you can practice in a moments notice that will allow you to feel better faster before or after stress starts getting to be the size of a basketball.

A Look at Stress:
While you certainly cannot avoid stress, you can reduce the way it makes you feel. When you think about the things that cause you stress, you need to find ways to let it go. So when you feel stressed, you need to do something about it.

Finding a Technique that Works for You:
Striking a good balance in your emotional and physical well being will help your stress levels in check. Everyone knows that when you are able to reduce stress levels, you are more productive overall.

Using Proper Relaxation Techniques:
First of all, find what works for you. When you start relaxation methods, what works for one person, may not work for another. Visualization works well for many people while with others, it doesn't. One may do Yoga or Stretching exercises, daily breathing techniques and even mediation. Someone else might not have the time. Either way when you learn to use these properly, you will be able to work out your stress on a daily basis.

Set Aside Time to Relax Each Day:
When you set aside time each day (5 minutes) to 'practice' relaxing, you will find that you have an improved overall sense of well being. Even if it's just 5 or ten minutes a day.

Bee-ing Present: (try this...)
Sometimes you think about the past, sometimes about the future, now try living moment by moment. You should feel a silence. It should feel kind of quiet. That's a good thing. It'll actually feel a little uncomfortable. There comes an inner power with this. Be it! Live it! You'll probably feel a push or pull into your past or future. If you're able to sustain this, the hours of the day feel longer. Why? Because you're present. "Bee where your feet are!"

Look at your calendar for the day and see when you will most benefit from these relaxation techniques. You can find a few quiet minutes during lunch break, first thing when you wake up, on your way to work, or when the toddler is napping. The next thing you will need to do is to make sure you set aside time when you are not too tired or too sleepy.

Many people bop up and down when they walk and they're rushing from here to there. Try Bee-ing inside your body, not in your head. Sway... You'll appear much more sexy.

We Recommend:

• TAKE 3 very DEEP BREATHS.
It sounds simple enough but, many of us forget. It's okay, just do it now.

• 2 POINTS at the base of the skull.
There are two points located on the back of your head at the base of the skull. Press and hold or 10 seconds, then release. Do that 2-3 times.

• DRINK an herbal tea or a glass of water.
Delete coffee and caffeine when feeling stressed. Try an herbal tea instead (not Green, Oolong or Black teas).

• STRETCH and do a twist.
Stress even though it is mentally charged is manifesting physical effects on the body. Move! Shake!

• THINK of a funny THOUGHT.
Think of something that will get you to smile or laugh. This will release endorphins which 'naturally' alleviates stress.