• Hold your breath for a count of seven.
• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
• Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

2. Release physical tension.

Muscle tension is almost a reflex reaction to stress — the body's way of guarding against injury and pain.

When we feel mentally stressed, we often feel physically stressed as well. Releasing any physical tension can help relieve stress both in your body and mind. One of the easiest ways to release tension in your body is stretching. It  is truly one of the most wonderful things you can do for your body!  The daily impact of our lives causes muscles to bunch up.  Take time at the start and end of your day for some gentle stretching when you can.

3. Unplug yourself from social media.

Even if it's only for 20 minutes: unplugging from technology is works like a reboot for your brain and also helps to:

• Reduce Stress and Anxiety. 
• Focus on Appreciation and Gratitude. 
• Provide More Time for Simple Pleasures. 
• Reduce Feelings of Loneliness. 
• Connect with the Natural World. 
• Allow You to Be Present.

4. Make a list of good things in your life.

Thinking about the positive parts of your life and writing them down may help you relax and be more content.

When we’re stressed, we tend to focus on the negative parts of life rather than the positive. 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. Go outside.

As trivial as it sounds, just 10-20 minutes of being outside everyday can do wonders for your mental health. 

Spending time walking among or simply looking at trees lowers blood pressure and reduces the stress-related hormones cortisol and adrenaline. 

Stress is a part of everyday life. It can be a helpful thing that motivates people to act, and can even save your life in a dangerous situation. Most stresses we experience are small, like getting caught in traffic on the way to work or losing an earring on the train. But that doesn’t mean you should let it get the best of you. Take charge and control your stress by learning how to relax. And even if you don’t feel very stressed, practicing relaxation exercises daily can be a good preventative measure for keeping stress away in the first place.