Ten Relaxation Tips!

1. Take a walk: If you need a break, take a walk around the block. This gets the blood flowing and opens up the airways. It gives you time to think, and is literally a breath of fresh air compared to being inside. 2. Deep breathing: Sit up straight and close your eyes. Take 10 deep breaths through your nose and breath out slowly after each one. 3. Eat something healthy: Bananas are especially good for stress, containing more Vitamin B6, nature's antidote to stress, than any other fruit. See our great detox recipes for some healthy eating tips. 4. Muscle tension: Tense the muscles in a certain part of your body (e.g. hands) as much as you can. Hold this tension for a few seconds, until it begins to be quite uncomfortable. Now relax the muscles slowly until they are more relaxed than they were when you started. 5. Write things down: Make a list of the things that are causing you stress, and another list of things that you are happy about, especially things you can look forward to today. Putting these things in perspective can help relieve your negative feelings about them. 6. Maintain a good posture: A good posture reduces the amount of tension and stress on the muscles and joints in your body, and subsequently makes you feel more at ease with yourself. 7. Stroke your cat: If you have a cat, spend some time with him/her. Physical contact with a purring cat reduces blood pressure and promotes a sense of well-being and happiness. 8. Write an e-mail to someone: Drop a quick e-mail to someone you have not heard from in a while, and a happy response will reward you later on in the day. 9. Let your mind take a little holiday: Letting your mind wander for a bit is healthy and restorative. Think about a holiday you are about to take, a social engagement or anything that you are looking forward to. This will help you feel positive about the future and get on with your present chores with gusto. See our great article on natural approaches to feeling totally 'soothed' for more ideas. 10. Neck massage: Much of today's work puts a lot of strain on our neck muscles. Reach round the back of your neck and massage any areas that are tight or uncomfortable. Rub around your jaw and ears. Stretch your neck from side to side and forwards and backwards to loosen the muscles.