Making it easy to take it easy.

Healthcare professionals, psychotherapists and alternative medicine practitioners often teach their patients methods of mellowing out, but there are effective relaxation techniques you can learn without their help.

Autogenic relaxation combines mental imagery and physical awareness to reduce whatever stress you're experiencing. Calmly repeat to yourself a word or mantra until you notice your muscle tension and breathing begin to relax. It may help to picture in your mind a particularly peaceful place.

Progressive muscle relaxation focuses on easing the tension in the body's different muscle groups. Start by tensing and relaxing the muscles in your toes and feet, slowly working your way up to your neck and face. Tense each muscle group at least five seconds, then allow them to relax for half a minute.

Visualization is a process of imagining comforting mental pictures as vividly as possible. Include as many of your senses as you can. Sit in a quiet area, close your eyes and include any sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures that reinforce the sensation of tranquility. Visualization may not physically transport you to your dream destination, but you will come away refreshed.

Like any skill, these relaxation techniques will take practice. But with experience, you will begin to control the stress in your life - rather than the other way around.

You shouldn't feel alone.

Prefer your stress relief with a little company? Consider these activities:

• Study tai chi - Not all martial arts are about breaking bricks.

• Get a massage - Alone or with some friends, it will be worth it.

• Walk the dog - Man's best friend is a pretty good stress reliever, too.

• Join a gym - Exercise your body, exorcise your demons.