1] Before getting out of bed bend the toes of your right food towards the instep. Inhale deeply while doing so. Hold for a moment, then curl your toes towards the sole, breathing out at the same time. Repeat three times then do the same for the left foot. Now lengthen your body in a long, languid, movement like a big cat lazily stirring from sleep. Push down with your left foot to stretch the leg muscles, then repeat with your right foot. Stretch each arm at a time. Get out of bed. Stand upright, with both feet placed firmly on the floor and take two deep breaths. Curl the toes of both feet inwards while inhaling. Straighten and stretch them while exhaling. Repeat three times.

2] Take a deep breath and feel your abdomen expanding as you bring your arms around in front of you and slowly up over your head. Stretch slowly as your palms reach up towards the ceiling and rock your body from side to side by shifting the weight between the right and left foot then back again. As you inhale imagine the clean, pure breath filling your body with light and energy, dissolving away stress and tensions. Breathe out while slowly bringing your arms down. Repeat three times. Focus on any area where you feel tension. Imagine the inhaled breath moving into this spot and dissolving away the stress. Picture your whole body filling with energy.

3] Purchase a small bottle of Clary Sage essential oil. First thing in the morning – or when you come home at the end of a stressful day – add a few drops of this essential oil to warm, not hot, wash water and splash your face.

4] Our ability to resist stress and enjoy optimal physical health depends on the efficient functioning of your adrenals. Unfortunately chronic stress causes these vital glands to shrink. Boost adrenal functioning by eating foods rich in potassium and low in sodium. Your daily potassium intake should be between 3 and 5 grams. Suitable breakfast fruits high in potassium include bananas, cantaloupe melon, dried apricots, peaches, and apples.

5] Ginseng, an ancient Chinese and Korean tonic, protects you against mental and physical fatigue while increasing resistance to stress. Research shows it improves the ability to tolerate stressful surroundings, increases alertness, enhances performance and boosts endurance. A dose of 25 to 50 mg of ginsenoside – the active ingredient of ginseng – is suggested.