If you feel stressed, that's a good indication that you have a lot of things in your life that are causing stress. Oh, you already knew that?

You might not be able to get rid of all of your stressors, at least not right away. It can take a while to get a different job, a new car or change relationships that cause you grief. An interesting thing is that you may have causes of stress that you aren't even aware of!

In the meantime, here are several tips to help you ease into relaxation. Pick out one and start using it right away.

1. Let your shoulders relax when you drive. Your shoulders can hike up to your ears, without you being aware that they're moving up - until you feel muscle tension and stress. Each time you become aware that your shoulders have hiked up, allow them to drop to a comfortable position. You might have to lower your shoulders many times because they tend to creep back up. They do this just because your muscles are used to doing it. Muscle stress is a stressor.

2. Gently and firmly press your shoulders into the floor or bed while you are lying on your back. Your shoulders are in front of you most of the day. This causes muscle stress. Pressing your shoulders into the floor strengthens your back muscles so they will complain less. Less pain equals less stress.

3. Imagine that you are a stick of butter, soft, warm and pale. You are melting. As you melt, all of your stress melts and slides down to the floor. It evaporates. There is no stress left.

4. Breathing is a wonderful relaxation technique. Simply pay attention to your breath expanding your ribs. On the exhale, feel the movement in your back. On the next inhale, feel your belly expand. When your exhale, feel your belly get smaller. Pay attention to each breath, and if you forget and go back to your stressful thoughts, that's OK. Just start breathing again and paying attention to your breath again.

5. Arrange to have a relaxation massage from a professional massage therapist or from someone who cares about you.

Use these tools to help relax and lower your stress level. Start with one (the "butter" strategy is easy and quick to learn) and, as you can, add another. Then, just melt and let all of your stress evaporate.