Relaxing is incredibly important, as our lifestyles can be very stressful,  We often are managing different obligations such as work, family, social commitments and others.  Relaxing can ensure keep a healthy mind and body, with an opportunity to recover from different stresses.  Even for those who are busy, taking time to learn and apply these simple and easy techniques can make a significant difference.

Five Minute Relaxation Strategies - easy to slip into your day:

1. Breathe it out.  Breathing exercises are one of the simplest relaxation strategies, and can effectively calm your stressed-out body and mind anywhere at any time. Sit or lay down in a quiet and safe place such as on your bed or the floor in your home and put one of your hands on your belly. Breathe in to a slow count of three, and then breathe out to the same slow count of three. Feel your belly rise and fall as you breathe in and out. Repeat five times, or as long as you need to feel relaxed.
2. Release physical tension. When we feel mentally stressed, we often feel physically stressed as well. Releasing any physical tension can help relieve stress in your body and mind. Lay on a soft surface, such as your bed, a carpet, or a yoga mat. Tense up one part of your body at a time, and then slowly release your muscles. As you do this, notice how your body sensations change. Many people start either with the muscles in their face or those their toes, and then work their way through the muscles across their bodies to the opposite end. 
3. Write down your thoughts. Getting things off your mind by writing them down may help you relax. When you feel stressed, take a few minutes to write down some short notes about how you’re feeling or how your day is going. You might do this in a notebook or in a notes app on your smartphone. Don’t worry about being poetic or spelling everything correctly. Just focus on expressing yourself to help release some of your stress. 
4. Make a list. Making a list about what you are grateful for can help some people feel relaxed. Experts say that when we’re stressed, we tend to focus on the negative parts of life rather than the positive. Thinking about the positive parts of your life and writing them down may help you chill out. Try to think of three good things that happened to you today and write them down, even if they’re small things like getting to work on time or eating a delicious lunch. 
5. Visualize your calm. Have you ever heard the expression “find your happy place”? Sit in a quiet and safe place, such as your bedroom, and begin to think about a place in the world where you feel most calm. Close your eyes and imagine all the details linked to that place: the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and tactile feelings. For example, if you think of the beach, you might imagine calm waves, the sound of children playing in the sand, the smell of sunscreen, the taste of cool ice cream and the feel of gritty sand under your feet. The more you get into your visualization, the more you can relax.
6. Connect to nature. Spending just a few minutes in nature when you feel stressed may help you relax. When you’re feeling stressed, take a step outside and go for a short walk, or simply sit in nature. But you don’t necessarily need to be in nature to feel its stress-reducing effects. Scientists have found that simply looking at images with greenery for five minutes on a computer screen can help calm you down. So, thanks to technology, even people living and working in big cities far from nature can still experience its calming effects. 

Lifestyle Changes for Consideration

1. Review your diet and instead of reaching for another cup of coffee or a night cap, consider natural tonics that can help you fight fatigue, anxiety and stress.
2. Exercise to release endorphins that can help  you feel good.
3. Keep a diary and make appointments with yourself for doing the things that you enjoy.  If others then ask for a moment of your time, you can then advise that you are not available because you have an appointment, with no further explanation required.
4. Reach out to people you trust such as family, friends or a co-worker as sharing your feelings and venting your concerns can help.
5. Talk to your healthcare professionals.

Listening to Music
Promotes relaxation and sleep

Short version above and longer below

Guided Relaxation

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Positive Effects of Relaxation

• improved sleep
• clearer thinking / better decisions 
• the ability to resist future stressors
• a more positive outlook 
• a healthier more relaxed body 
• better weight management 
• a reduced risk of a heart attack, autoimmune disorders and other stress related illnesses
• improved work performance
• ability to improve lifestyle choices, reduce caffeine, alcohol and tobacco use
• eliminate depression, anxiety, irritability, social isolation & loneliness