Ten Practical Ways to Relax

If you are stressed out, too busy, or simply want some easy ways to relax, the following ten tips will help you to find ways to kick back a little and regroup.

One: Play a video game. Yes, even if you are a grown up. Playing a round or two of a short video or computer game that does not require a lot of skill or time to learn, such a Pac Man, Asteroids, Olympics, Solitaire, or any of another of plentiful titles can help to de-stress you. It gives you about ten or fifteen minutes of time to focus on absolutely nothing , which can leave you refreshed and ready to tackle the world when you are done.

Two: Take the time out to read a chapter in a book. Earmark a time each day where you are going to do nothing but sit back in the easy chair, or wherever your favorite reading spot is, kick up your feet, and read one chapter of a book that's been calling your name.

Three: Take a walk. It doesn't have to be a long one, just enough to get you out in the fresh air which can instantly revitalize a tired spirit. Make sure you really look around you and enjoy nature. The trees, the flowers, the grass, the sky...taking note of these things can distract your mind from activities you have to do and leave you revitalized once you go back inside to tackle them.

Four: Take the time out to do an outside chore; skim the swimming pool, spray off the patio, rake leaves, rinse the house, wash the outside of the windows, mow the lawn, etc. Just being outside can really help your frame of mind sometimes, and you will be accomplishing a to-do task a well. Make it a fun time, not a chore and you will be amazed at how refreshed you can feel when the job is done. The key here is to make it a small outside task. If your yard is four acres, you may not feel refreshed after spending two hours mowing it. Just use your judgment.

Five: Take a mini-trip. Go away for a day or the weekend. You can choose a city close to you that you have never visited, or a hotel you have been wanting to check out. Maybe you can go to a local winery, casino, movie theatre, play, take a weekend trip to the spa for pampering, etc. Sometimes all it take to regroup is a change of scenery.

Six: Spend a little time on a hobby or craft you enjoy. Perhaps you can start a scrapbook, puzzle, or crossword puzzle. If a holiday is close by, consider creating a craft or two to help you decorate or celebrate. If cooking is your thing, find a new recipe and give it a try. Spending quality time doing something you really enjoy can give you vigor in doing those tasks that you must but do not really want to do.

Seven: Organize something that you never find time to get around to. Designate a specific time to organize that file cabinet drawer, clean out your desk, clean off those shelves, or tidy up that closet. Sometimes simply starting the task is enough to get you motivated enough to finish it, and once you're finished with it you feel great.

Eight: Take a half of an hour out of your schedule to exercise. This not only is good for your body, but it is good for your mind as well. Run on the treadmill, put in an exercise DVD or tape, jump rope, or lift some weights. You will be doing yourself a favor physically at the same time you are refreshing your state of mind.

Nine: Find a local place to volunteer once or twice a month. Helping others can easily be a way to help yourself. Find a local charity who can use your presence and sign yourself up. You'll feel great about yourself, and about helping others, and you will be temporarily taking your thoughts off of yourself and things that may be stressing you out of bogging you down, and this can help you tackle those with a renewed vigor.

Ten: Take a short nap. Just crawl into bed, or curl up on the sofa, and if necessary, set an alarm for the amount of time you want to sleep, and take an afternoon siesta. You will wake up refreshed and ready to take on the world.

These ten tips should encourage you to find a way that is unique to your own personal situation, that will help you learn to relax and diminish stress