Desktop Yoga - 5 Minute Relaxation Technique

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All you need is a few minutes to experience a calming break. Use one of the

following easy, no-equipment- necessary relaxes any time you feel stressed.

1. Warm your hands. Stress can make you feel cold, especially in the throes

of winter. Put your hands and wrists under warm water for a few minutes, says

Bradley Frederick, D.C., Director of the International Institute of Sports

Medicine in Los Angeles. After patting them dry, wrap them around a mug of

steaming tea.

2. Gently hold a pencil between your teeth without biting. This action

prompts you to relax your facial muscles, which helps relieve tension, says

Fred

Sheftell, M.D., director of the New England Center for Headache in Stamford,

Connecticut.

3. Press on your temples for three to five minutes. Massaging nerves in this

area is an acupressure technique that relaxes muscles in other parts of the

body, says Emmett , M.D., author of Deep Healing: The Essence of

Mind/Body Medicine.

4. Breathe slowly and deeply, emphasizing the exhalation for the most

calming effect. Breathe in through your nose to a count of 4; pause slightly,

then

breathe out through your nose to a count of 6, prolonging the exhale. Pause

briefly, and repeat -- several times, if possible. Use this breathing

technique as a quick relaxer and tension diffuser -- not unlike counting to 10

when

you're angry.

5. Take a few minutes to think positive, restful thoughts -- a little mental

time-out. You could pause to remember why you're doing all this shopping,

cooking, and decorating anyway -- because you love your friends and family, and

you're lucky enough to spend time with them over the holidays.