Five Fantastic Stress Relievers

You've had a nightmare of a week, and now you're ready for a little recuperation. Well, isn't that what weekends are for? Try one of these confirmed cures for stress, and pick yourself back up on your day off:

Sleep. The majority of people who suffer from stress admit that they don't get enough sleep at night. Feeling tired definitely shortens your fuse and hampers your ability to cope with life's hassles, so it's important to get a good seven to eight hours of quality sleep when you can. If falling asleep is a problem, try taking a hot shower just before bed, then applying a lavender-scented lotion to your skin. The soothing warm water coupled with the calming effects of lavender will have you snoozing in no time.

A Hot Bath. Slipping into a steamy tub is an easy way to soak away stress. Turn off that cell phone, place a "do not disturb" sign on the doorknob, and take your time. The hot water will work wonders on tense muscles, and the time to yourself will ease your weary mind.

Tea. There's nothing quite like a hot cup of tea to relax and soothe a frazzled mind. Make the most of the moment by curling up with a soft blanket and a good book or favorite TV show, and let the stress drift away.

Exercise. Breaking a sweat is a sure-fire way to beat stress. Exercise releases endorphins, and you'll be too focused on your workout to worry about what else is bothering you.

Sex. Of course! Sex is a time-honored stress buster. It releases mood-boosting, relaxing hormones into your system and reconnects you to your physical self — and snuggling with your sweetie afterward helps, too!

If stress isn't the problem so much as mental exhaustion from the same day-in, day-out routine, try the following!

Giving back. People who volunteer and give back to those in need tend to have more positive attitudes than people who don’t. The best part is that volunteering offers something for everyone and every skill set. If you work well with animals, consider signing up to work a few hours a week at your local animal shelter. If you work with kids, sign up to mentor a child in your neighborhood, or get together with other parents in your community and create a “Mom-and-Daughter Kickball League” or something equally unique and inspiring.

Practice gratitude. Speaking of a positive attitude, the best way to get yourself in a happier frame of mind is to put your worries and start counting your blessings. Make a habit of writing down five things that you are grateful for everyday. They can run the gamut from simple creature comforts (i.e. a strong cup of coffee and a warm croissant) to the more life-affirming (i.e. my son’s smile, my marriage, etc.). You will soon find yourself discovering amazing things to be grateful for each and every day.

Finally, make sure to carve out time for yourself each day. This is ultra important when it comes to being a happy, relaxed, and well-balanced person. While it might feel selfish, the truth is that by taking time for yourself, you can stay positive and stress-free. Your family will definitely enjoy the new, calmer you, and it might set off a chain reaction of positivity all around you!