Stress is an unavoidable part of our lives. Some stress is actually good for you when it becomes painful enough to make you move away from or change something that is not good for you. However, constant stress wears down the immune system and important defenses, both mentally and physically.
Yoga and meditation brings the body/mind connection into sync and gives us the tools we need to control stress and much more. However, if you are short on time and can't practice a full yoga session or you don't have time for 30 minutes of meditation, you can learn a simple technique called Progressive Muscle Relaxation that can be done anytime and anywhere.
Here's how it's done:
Ideally, try to find a quiet place. You can either sit, stand or lie down.
Begin by tensing and tightening all the muscles in your face. Hold this for a count of eight as you inhale deeply and slowly. Now exhale slowly and relax all the muscles in the face completely. Enjoy the feeling.
Next, completely tense your shoulders, arms and neck, inhaling slowly and counting to eight. Then slowly exhale and relax.
Repeat the procedure with your chest and abdomen, and finally the buttocks, legs and feet.
When you are done tensing and releasing, take three deep relaxing breaths.
With practice, you will be able to completely release tension and anxiety, both physically and mentally, and feel like like liquid silk is being poured all over you. This procedure is great because it can be done in 5 minutes whenever you need to de-stress.