STRESS affects us all in different ways - some of us pig out on chocolate; some won't eat at all. Some run around like Duracell bunnies, while others go into hibernation or push their blood pressure to the limit.

Whichever way you deal with stress, you won't always be aware of your body telling you it needs some TLC, even if your shoulders are hunched around your ears.

Just learning how to breathe properly will get the oxygen circulating around your body and instantly ease the tension, says Gillian Wright, "no hands" massage therapist at York's Healing Clinic.

She encourages people to try "hara" breathing, which can be practised sitting up or lying down and is especially beneficial to asthmatics and ex-smokers

"Very few people use their lungs properly, and they should, to detox them," said Gillian.

"Try placing one hand on your tummy and one on your chest, breathe in deeply through the nose and direct the breath at the tummy, as if you're pushing your diaphragm right down, the bigger you make your belly the better it is. Breathe out through a relaxed open mouth and let your jaw soften. The hand on your tummy should move but the hand on your chest should stay still.

"Instead of tea, coffee, a glass of wine or something stronger, try sitting down with a cup of warm water and lemon."

To ease the aches and pains of the office, ask your partner to gently rub your shoulders, or try one of the exercises below to get your blood flowing and loosen your muscles.

June Tranmer, complementary medicine practitioner and manager of the clinic, said: "Lots of people may be experiencing symptoms of stress, but might not actually realise it.

"When you get home, sit down and take a few minutes to reflect; do you feel agitated or impatient? Do you feel tired, have a headache, tightness or indigestion? Do you feel as though you don't have the ability to work things out? These are all signs of stress, your body's way of telling you to slow down."

Try to resist the temptation to top up your blood sugar levels with chocolate and keep your diet light, choosing lightly-cooked or steamed vegetables and fish, nuts, seeds, pulses and brown rice.

Ditch caffeine and processed foods and snack on fruit or maple syrup for a sugar rush.

The Healing Clinic offers many stress-relieving treatments, including work-based massages, gentle yoga and kinesiology.

For information, visit the clinic at 33 Fulford Cross, phone 01904 679868, log on to www.thehealingclinic.co.uk or email jtranmer@thehealingclinic.co.uk.

Updated: 11:27 Friday, February 18, 2005