Relax Already! 5 Favorite Ways

Unwinding from time to time is as important for your body as it is for your mind; long-term stress can increase the risk of diseases like depression, heart disease and a variety of other problems. So embrace the day and check out these five favorite ways to kick off your shoes and get those bare feet up.

Create a Spa Sanctuary
If only we could just live in a spa … well, you can come close by following these simple steps for turning your own bathroom into a place for balance, refreshment, relaxation and renewal.

Make Time for What Matters Most
Vacation can be the ultimate stress-eraser. Learn how to come home but preserve that vacation feeling; reduce the daily overload of things to get done, find simplicity at home and work, and maintain the centered and peaceful feelings of vacation despite a busy life.

Slow Down: Banish Hyperthought
Whose mind isn’t racing, given the hyper pace of modern life and incoming information? Here is an exercise to slow down your mind and sanely process ideas, tasks and thoughts so you don’t simply react to things without being fully aware; to stop your mind from racing.

Take a Seaweed Soak
Make like a mermaid and soak in seaweed. Not only is this bath incredibly relaxing, its mineral qualities will leave you refreshed and nourished as well.

Pet your Cat
Recent studies have validated that hanging around a contented, purring cat can drop a human’s high blood pressure to within normal range, decrease stress, conquer feelings of loneliness, and even bolster self-confidence. Follow these three simple steps to maximize the healing power of purring.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Tim C.

9:08AM PDT on Mar 24, 2012

send a green star

KS G.

6:40AM PDT on Apr 2, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Beverly L.

6:52PM PDT on Oct 6, 2010

These are all great ideas and I've learned that taking time for what matters most is the best!

Ronni G.

7:56AM PDT on Jun 9, 2010

My stress-buster is to visit my local Indian luncheon club; the ladies have a 'chilled' attitude and pace of life slows down for me when I go there; ace.
Good advice in this story - but not always easy to follow, though I certainly find that simply reading about relaxing works....

RebeccaGRIEVING S.

9:19PM PDT on Jun 8, 2010

I find swimming does it for me. I put in ear plugs, dark goggles, do backstroke and just feel the water support me. It is womblike and does relax me in a way nothing else does.

April T.

8:55AM PDT on Jun 8, 2010

not multitask??? I wish I could do that, I should try and practice that.

Arild W.

3:42AM PDT on Jun 8, 2010

Thanks.

Anil S.

1:06AM PST on Feb 24, 2010

THANK YOU FOR THIS USEFUL SHARE,

Virginia R.

3:02PM PST on Jan 8, 2010

thanks so much for these links:)