meditation

A few good relaxation techniques can save your life
because stress is more than just unpleasant. It's also dangerous to your health. Disciplined practices such as meditation can help relieve that stress
but what if you don't have the time or motivation? Maybe you need to try a few of these simple ways to relax.

1. Hug someone. Giving a hug means getting one. As long as it's from somebody you don't mind hugging you
this really can be relaxing.

2. Interrupt routines. Go talk to that guy sleeping on the bench
or eat lunch on the roof. Just doing anything that breaks you out of your habitual patterns can relieve stress.

3. Have a hot shower. It relaxes your muscles
and any break from more stressful activities can help too. Some find that an alternating hot and cold shower is even more relaxing.

4. Try watching your mind. Spot the stressors lurking just below the surface (hunger
worry
a phone call you need to make)
and you can resolve them and feel more relaxed. If you practice this mindfulness exercise
it may become one of your favorite relaxation techniques.

5. Try laughing. Your own experience shows that this helps you relax
right? Go find a guy that knows all the best jokes
or find something funny in front of you.

6. Use relaxing music. Keep your favorite relaxation CD at the office
in the car
or wherever you'll need it most.

7. Leave the room for a while. This can really help if the things in the room or related to it are triggering your stressful thoughts. Why not get out for a little while?

8. Breath deeply. Try five deep breaths through your nose. Close your eyes and pay attention only to your breathing while doing this. It's like a mini-meditation
and perhaps the most effective of the quick relaxation techniques.

9. Drink some chamomile tea. Chamomile tea seems to have a calming effect on the nerves. Any hot tea without caffeine may be relaxing.

10. Walk a while. If you have at least ten minutes to spare
walking is one of the best relaxation techniques. While you're at it
find a pretty place to walk.

Naturally
it is ideal if you can change yourself
so you're naturally more relaxed all of the time. Perhaps the thought of the work involved in this just stresses you more. In that case you might have to take it slow
so why not start with one or two of the simple relaxation techniques above?