1. Consciously and deliberately reduce your stress before you turn in for the night. Deep breathing and visualization exercises in the bath or the shower can help you release pent up anxieties. Progressive tightening and relaxing of muscle groups can attain true relaxation. Conscious relaxation of all the muscle groups makes one more aware of where the tension is, and helps address specific areas. Neck, shoulder, stomach, and face areas are common places for holding stress.