Relax, there is an alternative way

Let your mind talk your body into relaxation. Play an Inner Talk CD in the background during the day or while you sleep, and the subliminal messages that it contains will act directly on your subconscious to help you release tension before it affects your health, and achieve a state of calm and wellbeing. The messages - which include statements such as "I am calm, I am stress-free, I release stress, I breathe deeply" are almost inaudible, but can have a profound effect.

Feel your cares float away

Shut yourself off from the world in a warm flotation pool filled with a strong saline solution that buoys you up and helps calm your mind as well as your muscles. Flotation helps induce theta waves in the brain - these are the brainwaves associated with deep meditative states, which are usually produced just before you go to sleep.

You can keep the lights on and listen to soothing music, though seasoned floaters - who will tell you that no two floats are alike, and that the time flies past - prefer womb-like darkness. It's not for everyone - you need to be very willing to relax and let yourself go, and it may take two or three floats to achieve proper benefits.

Tune out at your desk

Try online meditation sessions through www.meditainment.com (try its free taster session; if you like it, subscription is £5 per month for access to all its online customised meditation journeys). Meditainment is keen to point out the benefits that can be derived from even short sessions of meditation - you don't have to commit yourself to hours of practice every day, and it doesn't have to be hard work.

If you prefer to try something completely new, give your mind a short blast of one of meditainment's events at the London Planetarium, which are designed as quick after-work stress-busters. Each 30-minute session includes a visual as well as mental journey, with surround-sound ambience to entertain your imagination along the way.

Hypnotise yourself

"Hypnosis is a perfect way to help deal with stress because it triggers the relaxation response in the body, and that helps bring the body back into harmony and balance," says Gloria Thomas, who practises hypnotherapy and "thought field therapy" at ultra-hip Soho gym The Third Space.

Listening to a hypnotherapy tape can be useful if you have trouble sleeping. Thomas says: "Every thought that we have has a physiological response in the body, so thinking yourself more relaxed will make it happen."

Aromatherapy exercise

Can't make the yoga class or find time for an aromatherapy massage? Lavender is a stretch-and-relaxation class conducted in a darkened room where the air is infused with lavender and mandarin essential oils. Participants are given a pillow to relax on and taught exercises which focus on breathing and stretching.

The music played is based around "binaural" beats which enhance a feeling of calm and harmony. The concept of binaural beats was discovered in the 1970s; they can affect the response of brainwaves - for greater relaxation, or to aid creativity.

R&R

Reiki, a form of hands-on healing, and reflexology, which works on the body through the soles of the feet; both have a good reputation for treating stress. Combining the therapies makes for greater, stress-relieving effects.

The Ragdale Clinic at Michaeljohn, in Mayfair, offers a reiki and reflexology treatment which promotes relaxation, healing and detoxification (£70; call 0207 629 6969 for bookings).

Breathe it away

Stress makes people breathe too rapidly and shallowly, which affects the body on many levels. The breathing and relaxation techniques taught during yoga can be helpful in reducing levels of stress.