Quick Relaxation Techniques for Stressful Days

Some days are just harder than others. That's life but it is no excuse to perform less than what you are capable of doing. As a professional, you must get the job done regardless of feelings. Let's be honest and realistic however, negative feelings can really dampen our work flow.

Take a deep breath. Relax. Thankfully there are quick relaxation techniques us entrepreneurs can utilize when faced with a troublesome work day. Don't let stress slow down your productivity by doing these simple exercises:

Breathe. Don't underestimate breathing exercises. Stop what you're doing and give yourself five minutes to just focus on breathing. 

Sit up with your back straight, close your eyes and place one hand on your stomach. Inhale through your nostrils slowly. Feel the air come from deep in your diaphragm and let it work its way to your face. As you slowly exhale, feel the air go back down from your head to your belly. 

“Deep breathing counters the effects of stress by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure,” claims Judith Tutin, PhD, a psychologist and certified life coach.

Get social. Spending time with a friend or any other loved one can melt the stress away. A strong support system is an excellent resource that will not only take your mind off your worries, it can increase motivation. 

Be sure to surround yourself with positive people who have your best interest at heart. A negative companion can increase your stress levels instead of helping you cope with your day better.

Get into the habit of meditation. Anxiety can be managed excellently by meditation. Several research studies have shown that meditating everyday can actually change the way our brains work. Daily meditation can alter the neural pathways and can teach us to be more immune to stress. The mind is just like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes.

One simple meditation technique involves sitting up straight with your feet flat on the floor. Keep your eyes close while reciting a peaceful mantra. You can say it out loud or repeat the mantra in your head. Keep the mantra simple. Great examples are “I feel at peace” or “I am capable.” 

Don't be too hard on yourself when you feel distracted as a beginner. Instead of feeling frustrated when distractions come, acknowledge them and simply imagine the distractions floating away. The more you meditate, the better you will be at fighting mental distractions.

Tea is your friend. Brew yourself a cup of calming tea like chamomile or mint tea. If chamomile makes you too drowsy during the day, green tea is known to contain the amino acid theanine. This compound can lead to a more relaxed yet alert mind. On hot days, iced tea made from real tea bags are a great way to fight off the heat and relax at the same time. 

With quick relaxation techniques that actually work, you can never give yourself the excuse that you're too busy to relax. Invest in the five or ten minutes it takes to practice any one of these methods. The remaining hours of your day will reward you with more quality output and a happier perception in life.