Relaxation Exercises You Can Do Anywhere

Are you ever overwhelmed with stress at work, with friends or while you’re out and about? In our busy world, stress is everywhere. Stress and anxiety can take a toll on physical and mental health if not managed well. With prolonged stress, you may notice increasing muscle tension, aches and pains, or you may experience mental exhaustion, impaired concentration or creativity, anxiety, fatigue or emotional tension.

Practicing relaxation techniques once a day can help you keep a reserve of inner calm to access when needed. Give these relaxation exercises a try and keep them in your mental toolkit to practice anytime, anywhere.

Stretch Intentionally: We tend to tense up our bodies when stressed. If you’re anxious or need to release some extra tension, stretching is a great way to calm your mind and body. And it doesn’t have to be a complete yoga session, either. Wherever you are, take a few minutes to do a body scan and see what areas of your body need the most attention. Try shrugging your shoulders, tilting your head and chin from side to side, and stretching your back by pressing your shoulder blades together. Experiment with different stretches to make yourself feel better both mentally and physically.

Meditation: Meditation involves training the mind to increase attention and awareness and achieve emotional calm. Whenever you’re feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, turn inward, take a few deep breaths and meditate to reclaim your inner peace. The practice of sitting and following your breath may seem simple, but its effects are far-reaching. Meditation not only soothes the mind and body in the present moment but, when practiced regularly, can also improve brain function.

Visualization: Never underestimate the power of your thoughts. Visualization is a quick way to take yourself out of a stressful state. It’s a form of meditation that’s like a short mental vacation. Simply close your eyes and conjure up soothing scenes, places or experiences in your mind. Imagine you are wherever you feel your best, whether it’s the beach, the top of the mountain or your cozy bed. Imagery or recordings may help you create this guided visualization. Immerse your senses in your tranquil imagined scene – focusing on sights, fragrance and sounds.

Sample some of these relaxation techniques and see what works best for you.