There are a lot of stressors in the world today - work, school, war, pollution, family, holidays. If you let the pressure build and give yourself no release valve you might end up going berserk in your local McDonald's because they ran out of apple pies. Women and men alike need to take some "me time" to clearn the mind, rest the body and achieve a state of harmony. Sleep doesn't count, so we suggest a few of the following.

A relaxing bath is a fantastic way to chill out, but they take a lot of preparation to be perfect. I'd say it's well worth the time and attention - after all, how much time and attention do you pay others? You deserve the same treatment. Gather your supplies for a great bath before you even start to get undressed. Light scented candles in calming aromatherapy scents such as lavender and vanilla. A few small, well-placed plants will add to the beauty of your surroundings. Light a few different scents and make your own chill-out smell, and fix the lighting so it's not blinding. Find bath salts that will soothe your achy muscles or bubbles, if that's your taste. Put on some soft music that suits your taste - Tony Bennett, Norah Jones or some classical piano are a few good choices. Finally, pour yourself a glass of wine - some people don't care for alcohol, but many will agree that this really adds to the relaxation. Put your hair up (this bath is not for cleanliness - you can shower off afterwards) and draw a bath at a comfortable temperature, keeping in mind that the water will get cooler as time passes, so you might want to start out warmer than usual. Now that you're prepared, your bath will begin. Savor and enjoy every moment, and don't rush any part of it. Go to your happy place and emerge later, renewed.

Outside of the bath, there are a few products out there that provide some calm to the everyday. One way to really calm the nerves is with a self-heating mask, such as the product sold by Biore. Not only will it relax you as it warms your skin, but it will also give you a good deep cleaning. Warning: this product might not be good for those with sensitive skin. While you're standing at the sink applying your mask, slip on a pair of these warm booties from Greenfeet. Pop them in the microwave for a minute and they're all toasty. Especially nice on those cold winter nights, and they're scented of lavender, so your feet will feel phenomenal. After all, this is a great place for stress to build up. Put on a comfy terrycloth robe, lay your head back and watch old reruns of your favorite sitcom. Sometimes a good laugh is the best way to get rid of the stress.

So, let's say you're at work, and you're ready to have a miniature meltdown. What you need to do is take a moment for yourself on the job to chill out. If you're the sort that doesn't like to take breaks, just bite the bullet and do so. It's worth taking ten minutes out of your day to make sure you're not a psycho on the phone with clients or you don't flip out at your boss. Take a break, step far away from your desk, and clear your head. Next, pick up your office voodoo doll, available at Barnes and Noble, and go to work! I couldn't find a picture of this particular product, but this is the same idea as their Itty Bitty Buddha (left). It's one of those tiny boxes, usually stationed near the register, and they have all types of fun games and toys. The office voodoo doll is priceless - at the very least, it will give you a good laugh. Once you've done that for about ten minutes, head back to your desk, refreshed. I guarantee you'll feel better immediately.