I agree with the meditation. Well, and meDiCation as well. I do both. But I've found that a great subliminal app with hypnosis actually works better on me then a sleeping pill. And I feel less stressed in the morning. Sometimes I have to listen twice to fall asleep (I actually read while I'm listening) but it pretty much always works, and more consistently then sleeping pills. My life has been insane, literally, for the last two months and this app has saved me. And very supportive friends (shout out Ms. Jez of NH! I could not do this without your texts~) near and far.
Seriously, even just posting things on here decompresses me. Everyone is kind and supportive, and thinking about makeup, and doing my makeup for fun is another way I relax. Sorting thru my cosmetic/beauty collection and trying the stuff I told myself I would try but never got around to, is another way I decompress. Somehow makeup really has a way of doing that for me. There is something self soothing about it-I wonder what Freud would say *grin*. I also do deep breathing exercises, though I have to admit they haven't worked as well as the guided hypnosis/meditation. If you want specifics on the one I use, PM me and I'll email it to you.
I hope life gets less stressful for all of us, it seems like everyone I know has tons on their plate, maybe it's just how life is these days.