Experts say that when we’re stressed, we tend to focus on the negative parts of life rather than the positive. Making a list about what you’re grateful for can help some people feel relaxed. Just focus on expressing yourself to help release some of your stress. Don’t worry about being poetic or spelling everything correctly.

You might do this in a notebook or in a notes app on your smartphone. 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. Getting things off your mind by writing them down may help you relax. 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. As you do this, notice how your body sensations change. Tense up one part of your body at a time, and then slowly release your muscles. Lay on a soft surface, such as your bed, a carpet, or a yoga mat. Releasing any physical tension can help relieve stress in your body and mind. When we feel mentally stressed, we often feel physically stressed as well. Repeat five times, or as long as you need to feel relaxed. Feel your belly rise and fall as you breathe in and out. Breathe in to a slow count of three, and then breathe out to the same slow count of three. 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.

Breathing exercises are one of the simplest relaxation strategies, and can effectively calm your stressed-out body and mind anywhere at any time. When it comes to relaxation strategies, the easier the better! If you can find five minutes of your day for yourself, you can easily slip in a simple relaxation strategy.

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