6. Shrug your shoulders
Stand comfortably and lift both shoulders up to your ears as you breathe in through your nose. Pause; as you exhale through your mouth, drop your shoulders back down vigorously, to shake off tension. Repeat five times.
> Try this before walking into a gathering you're feeling tense about.
7. Breathe -- in a square
Sit or stand comfortably. Breathe in slowly through your nose to the count of four. Hold for the same count. Then breathe out through pursed lips for a count of four. Repeat for one minute.
> A great way to relax after a late party -- and before an important meeting at work.
8. Listen to relaxing music
Research shows that music will calm even the grouchiest Scrooge. So listen to something you find soothing. If classical calms you, try Mozart for Relaxation (RCA).
> Particularly good when you have time before holiday house guests arrive.
9. Express your stress
Writing about your stress, or talking to someone who is willing to just listen, can help relieve it. If you don't get it out, says Janice Berger, a physiotherapist in Newmarket, Ont., and author of Emotional Fitness (Penguin Canada, 2005, $25), you'll add anger and a bad mood to your stress.
> A good way to get focused when you're feeling overwhelmed by everything you have to do.
10. Visualize change
Sit comfortably, close your eyes and visualize dealing with an anticipated stressful situation. For example, visualize yourself telling your nasty Uncle John, "Please don't tell that story about me again; it's not funny."
>Particularly good for dreaded get-togethers. "Practise beforehand and you'll feel much stronger in the moment," says Berger.
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