4 Ways to Relax in an Instant

Many people find hard if not impossible to relax deeply these days. It seems that no matter where you turn there’s something else you need to deal with that robs you of time and energy. nnIt's easy to fall into the trap of letting stress build until you’re ready to burst. When this happens even the smallest thing can be the straw that breaks the camels back. The downside of this is that recovery can take a long-time and sometimes you will never fully recover from the damage it does to your health or life.nnTo prevent this you must use stress relaxation techniques as a routine part of your daily to-do list. Here are some you can start using today.nnProgressive relaxation of your body…nnFind a quiet place to lie down, uncross your legs and arms, and rest your palms on your stomach. Close your eyes, and breathe slowly and deeply for just 1 minute. Then, working your way from your toes to your head tense and then relax every muscle group. When you have finished lay as still as you can for a minute or two and feel your body relaxing even deeper. nnExercise to energize…n nGet rid of the pressure of your day by going for a brisk walk, jogging, swimming, going to the gym or any activity at all you enjoy. Just 20 minutes a day will help your body to clear out tension and feel calmer and more relaxed.nnMeditate…n nIt’s long been known that meditation is one of the simplest and most effective stress relaxation techniques. There are literally hundreds of different meditation techniques you can learn but the secret is to find one that works for you. If you are new to meditation you may want to use a meditation audio at first to help you to get into a meditative state.nnHave a good laugh…nnBreak through the mental and emotionally baggage that weighs you down by taking time out each day to have a good laugh even if it’s the last thing you feel like doing. Just by watching a clip from a funny movie, reading a good joke or getting someone to tickle you when you feel low can peel layers of heaviness off your shoulders.nnTo truly relax, you must be true to yourself. Pay attention to any physical or emotional symptoms that arise in response to stress. Whenever you feel anxious, recognize that it's OK to relax, slack off for a short period, or get more sleep. Make your mental and physical health a priority and everything else will follow.