by Melissa Morlan

Created on: November 10, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Holiday times are just around the corner. Times of family joy. Spending time with loved ones that you don't get to see that often. While these times are filled with joy, they can also be filled with mental and physical stress for the host/hostess. There are several ways to relieve this stress to help you get to sleep at night.

The best stress relief is a nice long soak in the bathtub. getting yourself some lavender and/or chamomile bubble bath or bath salts to have a calming aromatic affect on the mind and body. If you do not have any scented bath additives, you can always add simple Epsom salt to relax the body. Relaxing the body will also allow you to relax your mind easier. If you want the aromatics, but don't have the scented bath additives, you can always use scented candles or scented oils.

Mental stress relief is crucial to physical stress relief and vice versa. To obtain mental stress, you can put on some soothing music, and meditate. Just sit in a quiet room alone, with soft, soothing music playing, a few aromatic candles or scented oils burning. Sit with your eyes closed and clear your mind. When you feel like you are about to fall asleep, you are completely mentally relaxed. This exercise is best done after a nice hot, relaxing shower.

Another way of stress relief is to have a drink before bed. A drink a day can actually be good for your health. As long as you do not go to the extreme. No one likes a drunk. Although, one or two drinks towards the end of the night can be beneficial to help relax the mind and body.

If you have a partner with strong hands, you can always ask for a massage. Relaxation of the body will relax the mind and help you sleep. If both you and your partner are stressed, giving a massage can also be a good form of stress relief. Using the strength in your hands and arms to apply the appropriate amount of pressure it takes to give a good, deep-tissue massage, will relieve aggressive stress. This is the same stress relief you can acquire from using a punching bag.

Exercise is also a good form of mental stress relief. Getting a good cardioworkout going will help build a good strong heart, as well as relieve mental stress.

Whatever form of stress relief you decide to do, just remember, if you do not relieve the stress safely, you will take it out on everyone around you. It will be obvious in everything you do, and you will not be able to truly enjoy the company of your friends and loved ones in this happy time of the year.

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