Stress is defined by dictionary.com as “the physical pressure, pull, or other force exerted on one thing by another; strain.” It doesn’t matter how much you try to fight it, life is going to be stressful sometimes. But how do you combat the stress? How do you rid yourself of those sleepless nights, fits of anger and that overwhelming feeling that leaves you utterly exhausted? Finding a way to calm down and attempt to relax can be the solution to this overactive, paranoid lifestyle that constantly plagues us.

1. Just Dance: Plug in that iPod or grab your favorite CD, put on those dancing shoes and dance like no one is watching. Sometimes a good dance, either alone or with friends, can be the remedy to even the most stressful of days. Forget the world and immerse yourself into the world of dancing and music. Because when you “Turn the Beat Around,” (so to speak) then you can wipe away the cares of the world, even if it’s only for three minutes.
2. “Scentsations”: Lavender, chamomile, vanilla, eucalyptus, rose, jasmine, marjoram, geranium, the smell of rain, grass, cookies, clean laundry. Find your most soothing scent in candle form, incense or diffuser and put it on, sit down, listen to some soft piano music or crashing waves, close your eyes and watch your atmosphere transform into your own personal paradise.
3. Nighty night: Sometimes a 15 to 20 minute nap can do the trick to easing stress. Even if you just lay down and close your eyes, it gives you time to regroup your thoughts.
4. Get a massage: Treat yourself and go to a spa and get pampered with a massage. If that is too pricy or time consuming, ask a friend or a loved one to give you a massage, even if it isn’t top notch, it will still release tension.
5. Tea time: Grab a tea kettle and heat up some water and pour yourself a nice hot beverage. Tea is guaranteed to settle the most frenzied of nerves as well as fill your body with that nice tingling feeling that comes when you are overcome with peace and tranquility.
6. BUBBLES! Sometimes the solution to the most stressful of weeks is by treating yourself to a nice bubble bath. Grab your favorite assortment of bubbles, bath salts and bath fizz and make up your bath to that perfect temperature. Slide into that heaven of bubbles and feel the restoring powers that only a nice bath can give.
7.  Yoga: Although this one may cost more money in the long run, yoga is a great way to detoxify all of those stressful thoughts and feelings that linger in our muscles and bones, making us weak. So grab your yoga mat, along with  a yoga video or go to your favorite yoga studio and relax by meditating on thoughts above.
8. Sweet, sweet company: Sometimes simplicity is better, and this simplicity can be as simple as grabbing a piece of dark chocolate and savoring its bittersweet taste on your taste buds. (In the individually wrapped Dove chocolate squares there is a little phrase of encouragement on the back of the wrapping, this can doubly brighten your day).
9. Walk it out: Being cooped up all day can be a serious stress heightener. Getting a breath of fresh air can sometimes do the trick to settling those rising nerves. So during that next break, take it outside and just take a small walk and clear your head with the big, open air, instead of the cramped, stuffy air that seems to hold tension.
10. Minds eye: When there are those times that you only have one minute to try to calm yourself down, visualize. Find the thing that brings you to the ultimatum of peace, your utopia. Sometimes it isn’t necessarily a place or a thing, but rather something that just reminds you of peace and of letting things go, for example, a melting candle.

Stress is a powerful concept that can determine our lives. Don’t let it do that. Instead of succumbing to it, find a way to relax and to calm down. It doesn’t have to be a big thing, it can be as small as you want it or as big, but the key is finding your perfect stress release and using it to your advantage. Don’t be overrun by stress but fight it and become a healthier and happier person, because life is so much more beautiful stress free.