[beth]

Apart from ice cream (!) I've found the following very useful for getting calm and clear.

1. Put on some music with a beat that is slower than your heart rate. This will slow your own heart rate down. It will work even quicker if you sing or hum along.

2. Lie down and, starting with the toes, progressively clench and unclench every muscle in your body. By the end, you will be surprised at how much looser you feel. Try not to go to sleep though!

3. Putting a dab of a calming essential such as lavender, mandarin, or rosewood on your neck so that you can readily breathe it in can really change your mood into a calmer one in just a few minutes.

4. Walk out into the sunshine if you're cooped up inside. Touch a leaf if you can. Getting in touch with nature is a great revitalizer.

Can anyone add their favorite tip so we can get a really useful set of suggestions for all us stressed-out folk out there?