I missed this article the first time I read through the current issue of the knot Texas,
but I agreed with a lot of their points.  I strive to alleviate stress for my brides and
hope this may help even more. Take a deep breath, laugh whenever you can and
look at the brighter side.

1. Do three minutes of deep breathing. Lie on your bed with your hand
on your stomach. Breathe in for a count of five, feeling the rise of your
stomach. Then breathe out for a count of five.

2. Watch two hours of reality of TV.

3. Go for a walk or run.

4. Buy a cheesy tabloid magazine and read it while you get a pedicure.

5. Call a laugh-out loud funny friend on the phone.

6. Spend an hour or two at a paint-your-own-pottery place

7. Get a facial. Not only is it relaxing, but you're also prepping your
     skin for the wedding.

8. Take a yoga class or try a Qigong DVD.

9. Have a movie night with your partner. Rent a mindless flick and
    snuggle up with a bucket of popcorn.

10. Take a bath or long shower with soothing, lavender-scented spa
       products.

I personally do several of these (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) quite often to keep
balanced. I also regularly have massages, at least once a quarter. Your
body holds in tension and nothing relieves it like a massage. Stress is an
energy drain and unhealthy for you. Do what you can to relax whenever
life in general gets to be too much.

Kudos to the knot for a great article,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com