I know what you're thinking: "yeah right, like I really need this guy to tell me how to relax. Turn on the TV, hand me beer and I'm done." It seems like the easiest thing to do in the world, just sit back and chill out.

But it's not. Daily life exerts a lot of mental stress and some it goes unnoticed. Try sitting back and thinking about nothing and you'll see how hard it is. You just can't help thinking about work, bills, relationships, the elections, taking your dog for a walk et cetera et cetera. Truly relaxing in a short period of time is an art form. We call it Downshifting: taking a few minutes out of your day to relax and clear your head. So here are four tips to help you:

• Take a nap. Modern living isn't very accommodating to sleep but you can make up for that by reducing stress, increasing productivity and alertness by taking a 20-30 minute nap during the day. In Japan it's called 'inemuri' which means "to be asleep while present."
  
• Pray, if you're the religiously inclined. Taking a little time out of your day to recognize whichever God you believe in has a peculiar knack of putting all your problems in perspective.
  
• Meditate with breathing exercises. We all know that meditation seems a lot easier than it actually is but clearing your mind by simply focusing on your breathing can relax your mind and body.
  
• Close your eyes and listen to some calm music. Some of us have trouble falling asleep fast enough to nap during a lunch break. But simply shutting your eyes and relaxing without sleeping does wonders for your stress, productivity and apparently your genes.

By doing this in the middle of the day you can increase your productivity ("Hey boss, I've been napping in the afternoons, how about that raise?"), pick up your energy levels and, according to a recent study, change your genetic make-up.

Take it easy.

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written by Odd Rey, November 24, 2008

If you are wondering what some ways to do some breathing exersises I'll tell you...

1. put one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly. then breathe so that the hand on your belly moves and the one on your chest doen not. do this 10 times

2. put your hands in the some places as #1 and this time close your eyes and breathe in hold for four seconds and blow out slowly. do this 10 times.

3. put your hands in the same place as #1 and close your eyes. do the same as #2 but this time sit or lie comfortably and try not to move any part of your body exept the hand on your belly.Do this at least 10 times

Doing these in order should help you get to sleep. I know they help me get to sleep. GOOD LUCK!

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written by sidsaikia, July 14, 2008

Hi Michael,
Taking a quick nap isn't as easy as it sounds but keep at it. It is super effective.
ha! let's hope one day U.S employers will see the value of a siesta. In Japan many companies turn off most of the lights in the building during lunch hours to let their employees nap.
Now wouldn't that be nice.

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3 out of 4 ways to relax were easy
written by Michael Zullo, July 14, 2008

Thanks. I tried all 4 ways -- 3 worked. Taking a nap didn't. I shut my eyes but couldb't clear my head from thinking about everything that I need to do when I got home from work.

Maybe, like in Japan, someday American employers will allow a rest break to take a 15-20 minute nap. Hmm......now I'm dreaming. American businesses putting their employees above their greedy profits. No way Jose!

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