For a guy who says that reading e-mail can be stressful, relaxation expert Darrin Zeer sure is e-efficient.

Zeer is very accessible through e-mail, although in his wildly popular book "Office Yoga: Simple Stretches for Busy People," he acknowledges that reading e-mail can be stressful. But it's impossible to eliminate stress entirely from our lives.

We just have to learn how to manage it.

And please, try to relax!

"Cell phones, e-mails, meetings — it just seems like we're having to communicate with so many people and it's all going so fast," said Zeer, who lives — and relaxes — in San Diego.

Sure, we communicate more, he said, but that communication is detached and empty.

"I think people have gotten very robotic in their communication," Zeer said. "We've all kind of fallen asleep."

Zeer, who spent seven years in Asia studying the arts of yoga and meditation, will be in Honolulu this weekend to lead workshops for anyone who needs some relaxation help.

He's taught about 40 workshops across the country and runs one-week retreats in Costa Rica.

(He loves his job, by the way.)

And he's noticed that more and more people are turning to alternative ways to manage stress.

"We are living in quite a crazy society, as far as speed to go get things done," Zeer said. "It's hard."

It's common knowledge these days how much stress can hurt.

More than half of those surveyed by the American Psychological Association said they're concerned about health problems caused by stress.

It can mess up your digestion, weaken your immune system, bring on feelings of anxiety and keep you up at night.

"I think people are now realizing, 'Hey, I don't want to feel this stressed out anymore. I don't want to go through my life with my back killing me,' " Zeer said.

Stress can also put a strain on relationships — both at work and at home.

Zeer's recent focus has been on couples. His latest book, "Lovers' Yoga: Soothing Stretches for Two," hit bookstores this year.

As our lives have gotten busier and more stressful, he said, not only do we neglect ourselves but our partners as well.

"Like anything else in life," he writes in the book, "your relationship needs care and attention to grow."

Zeer, who lived on Maui for a few years, came up with dozens of relaxation and massage techniques designed to help couples decompress and, more important, reconnect.

"Couples have got to stay connected to each other, otherwise relationships are no fun," said Zeer, who devised these techniques with the help of girlfriend and fellow yogi Daisy Talleur. "So many couples are in love with each other, but there's tension in the relationship just because of their work stress. They're lacking quality time with each other."

In the book, Zeer offers simple ways to cuddle, hug and give your partner some much-needed undivided attention.

Sure, you'll get stretched out and feel more relaxed. But there's an even better benefit.

"Suddenly you're feeling the love again," Zeer said. "That's what it's all about."