Live Stress Free – 5 Simple Relaxation Tips

Everyone goes through times throughout the day where you just wish you could relax for even a couple of minutes.

You already know that rest helps your body re-energize, but sometimes you’re so busy and involved in the present moment that you just don’t  have the time to slow down.

Well, as luck would have it there are easy ways to relax, even during your most active days, that don’t involve a great deal of time or equipment.

Here are 5 Simple Relaxation Tips:

1. When you’re in line at the market: rather than stressing out because there aren’t enough cashiers and every line has 5 people with heaping carts of groceries, use that time to relax your body by taking a few deep breaths.

• Deep breathing helps increase the oxygen in your blood. Your blood then circulates that extra oxygen throughout your body helping your internal systems recharge.
• Taking five slow deep breaths will do the trick. The right technique is to breathe in and breathe out deeply through your nose and out your mouth.
• Not only will deep breathing help you relax, it’ll help to clear your mind, reduce brain fogginess, and you’ll feel a good deal more alert and prepared to take on the next project on your plate.
• Deep breathing can be done anyplace when you’re feeling stressed or just would like to clear your mind.

2. When you’re at work: It’s frequently difficult to find time to decompress at work. You may even get in trouble if you’re caught “relaxing.” Oh the horror! However, there are a few techniques you’ll be able to do while you’re at work to help create a sense of calmness that aren’t so conspicuous to other people.

• If your job requires you to sit at a computer all day, make it  a point you get up and move around for a couple of minutes every hour. This helps circulate the blood throughout your body. Just moving the blood flow will make you feel more alert and focused.
• While sitting at your desk, roll your head around, from side to side and from front to back with your eyes closed. This technique helps relieve neck tension, increasing blood flow to your brain, which is a natural and easy way to relax.
• If you’re on your feet all day, stretch out your back and sides by standing with your feet firmly on the floor, shoulder width apart, and twist your upper body, including your head, slowly from side to side. This will loosen up your back muscles and spine, releasing tension throughout your body.
• During a break or lunch period, go for a walk. Walking is a great way to clear-cut your mind and your body will benefit from the additional exercise also.

3. When you’re hurrying through a busy day: Take just a couple of minutes to daydream and escape the busyness of reality.

• Daydreaming permits your imagination to flow, causing instantaneous relief from the stress of the real life.
• Remember a place or experience that makes you feel happy or calm. Imagine how it smells, how the air feels, and who’s around.
• After five minutes of a calming daydream you’ll feel relaxed, reenergized and prepared to face the real world once again.

4. Wherever you’re at, smile: Smiling is proven to help relax and rejuvenate your body.

• When you’re out and about, smile at others around you.
• When you’re at work, smile at your colleagues. Not only will it help you relax, it’ll help relax them also.
• Smile at your children when you’re toting them around to all their different activities. This will create a peaceful environment you’ll all enjoy.

5. When the going gets tough, laugh: Laughter’s proven to be an instant stress reliever. Now I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t want to be seen as a crackpot, so laughing aloud when you’re in line at the store or sitting at your desk may not be the best time. When you can, get someone involved in your laughter with you.

• Tell a amusing joke or story to a co-worker (at an appropriate time, of course).
• Play a fun game or sing a silly song with your kids as you’re driving.
• Watch funny videos on YouTube.

Engaging in these simple, everyday relaxation techniques will help to sustain and strengthen you throughout your day. It’ll also make it easier to relax when you get home. Your friends, co-workers, and family will all appreciate the new, relaxed you!