Dear Just Be: I need to relax this holiday season but I can't fit in the time to see a massage therapist. Any pointers?

We've all heard that stress and tension can lead to health issues, and that is not a "gift" any of us want this holiday season. So as you feel your stress levels rising and the tension in your neck and shoulders getting worse, take a break - for even a few minutes, and take care of yourself. Allowing ourselves to just a few minutes of relaxation is a gift we can give ourselves and it doesn't cost a cent. (In fact it may prevent other health problems and in fact save you money in the long run!)

First, find a quiet place (even if it is in the bathroom) and sit or lay down in a comfortable position. Focus on breathing; taking deep breaths,inhaling through your nostril and exhaling through your mouth. Let your body relax.

Pay attention to your body....where do you feel tension or tightness? Focus on that area and tense the muscle for 10 seconds and the relax the same muscle for 15 seconds. Repeat this for every uncomfortable muscle from your feet to your head. Some examples of this method include, curling your toes to tense the muscle and then letting of or spreading your toes apart to relax or clenching a fist and then releasing your fist.

Another great technique is to give yourself your own foot massage. Rest one foot on the opposite leg and rub from your toes to your ankle. If you wear high heels, continue the massage up your calves. Sit with your knees bent and feet on the floor. Grasp one ankle, placing your thumb just above your Achilles tendon. Press your thumb into the bottom of your calf muscle, hold for 5 seconds, and release. Move an inch up your calf and repeat the pressure. Continue pressing and releasing until you get to your knee, then switch legs.

Especially important this time of year, when there are many parties to attend and we tend to overeat, is to rub your belly after eating. Place one or both of your palms on your tummy and rub in a clockwise direction. This will aid in digestion and help prevent uncomfortable feelings later.

If you have time and space, grab a tennis ball, place it on the floor and lie on it either between your shoulder blades, in your lower back or hip region. (These are areas called trigger points.) Just lay on the ball, rolling around a bit, to help release the muscle. It may hurt a bit, but shouldn't cause too much pain. If it does cause too much pain, then stop.

You can also use the tennis ball as a tension release in your hands. Squeezing the ball revives tired hands and fingers (from those long computer sessions, or from wrapping gifts!)

Do you experience tension in your shoulders? Give yourself a big bear hug, squeezing and releasing your shoulders three times. You can continue down your arms, repeating this motion, until you reach your wrists.

For more ideas visit Readers Digest.

If you aren't feeling yourself or up to par, you won't be able to enjoy the end of the year festivities. So be sure to take time for yourself and give yourself a small 5-10 minute gift of relaxation and massage!