Shana Lebowitz writes this article about how to relax in five minutes or less. There are 364 new emails in the inbox, those new pants are covered in scalding coffee, and the next conference call starts in exactly five minutes. In other words, it’s the perfect time to relax. When you are feeling frazzled, a weekend at a beach resort might be just the thing to calm our nerves. But there isn’t always time for tanning, let alone sleeping, eating, or going to the bathroom.

The best ways to relax in five minutes or less

1. Sip Green Tea

Instead of turning purple with rage, get green with a cup of herbal tea. Green tea is a source of L-Theanine, a chemical that helps relieve anger . Boil the water, pour it out, and take a soothing sip.

2. Nosh on Chocolate

Just a square (about 1.4 ounces) of the sweet stuff can calm your nerves. Dark chocolate regulates levels of the stress hormone cortisol and stabilizes metabolism.

Green tea and a drop of dark chocolate can do wonders for your stress. Some people may say you are skating on thin ice and potentially opening yourself up to the use of stimulants to make you feel better. Remember that the occasional use of stimulants ultimately leads to regular use of stimulants, in due course, creating a habit that is very difficult to break. The worst part about these stimulants is that they are addictive

3. Meditate

No need to go on a retreat to the mountains—five minutes of peace is all it takes to reap the benefits of meditation. There’s evidence that just two quick bouts of silent meditation per day can relieve stress and depression. Find a comfortable spot in a quiet place, concentrate on your breath, and feel those anxieties start to disappear.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ~Aristotle. You have all heard that before. How do you create a habit that will stick? Here you will find how to make a meditation a sustainable habit.

4. Remember to Breathe

Is there any simpler way to relax? Slow, deep breaths can help lower blood pressure and heart rate . For the fancy noses out there, try pranayama breathing, a yogic method that involves breathing through one nostril at a time to relieve anxiety. The technique’s supposed to work the same way as acupuncture, balancing the mind and body (and possibly eliminating the need for a tissue).

5. Close Your Eyes

James Taylor said it: You can close your eyes, it’s all right. Take a quick break from a busy office or a chaotic household by just lowering your eyelids. It’s an easy way to regain calm and focus.
Total-Body Relaxation

6. Rub Your Feet Over a Golf Ball

Leave the clubs at home and just bring the ball. You can get an impromptu relaxing foot massage by rubbing your feet back and forth over a golf ball.

7. Squeeze a Stress Ball

On days when you want to strangle a coworker, your BFF, or the driver in the next lane, squeeze a stress ball instead. It’s an easy, portable, and non-violent way to relieve tension.

8. Be Alone

Not everyone needs a cabin the woods, but five minutes of alone time can help you collect your thoughts and clear your head.

9. Find the Sun

Here comes the sun—and some stress relief. If it’s a sunny day, head outside for an easy way to lift your spirits. Bright light can be an effective treatment for people who suffer from depression, and can even cheer up otherwise healthy folks .

10. Look Out the Window

No spying on the neighbors allowed. When things get hectic, take a five-minute break to do nothing but stare out the window. Looking at nature scenes like trees and public parks can be a lot more relaxing than staring at the TV screen.

11. Get Organized

A stack of papers, three tape dispensers, a bunch of misshapen paperclips: All this clutter could be contributing to stress. Take a few minutes to reorganize your desk (or table, or wherever you are), leaving just what you need on top.

12. Do Some Yoga

Put your feet up—against the wall, of course. The Vipariti Kirani yoga pose involves lying on the floor and resting the legs up against a wall. Not only does it give the body a good stretch, but it helps create peace of mind, too .

13. Stretch

Standing up for a quick stretch can relieve muscle tension and help us relax during a stressful workday . Why not try a shoulder roll-out or a chest-opening stretch right from the desk chair?

14. Take a Quick Walk

“Now walk it out, now walk [stress] out.” When you’re feeling overwhelmed or having trouble concentrating, go for a quick stroll around the block. You’ll get the benefits of alone time, physical activity, and a few minutes to gather your thoughts!

15. Write It Down

“Dear Diary: Today I feel STRESSED.” Just putting our emotions on paper can make them seem less intimidating. Try writing it all down before a big exam and it just might improve your score.

Start small, by writing down three things you are grateful for each day, then extend yourself slightly each time. Grateful people are happy people. Being grateful brings you blessings and loads of happiness. Gratitude will bring you kindness, joy and will keep you humble. These are the gratitude truths that will change you forever.

16. Laugh

Stressed? Me? Ha! Laughter’s one of the sillier ways to beat stress, but there’s science behind it . A fit of hysterics can increase blood flow and boost immunity. Keep a book of jokes handy in the desk drawer or check out a hilarious YouTube video (maybe a piano-playing pug?) for a quick pick-me-up.

17. Talk to a Friend

When something’s really bothering you, it can help to share your feelings with a pal. In fact, more talkative folks tend to be happier in general . So vent to a coworker or call a close family member and spill.

18. Start Planning a Vacation

Crashing waves, warm sand, a gentle breeze ruffling your hair. Well, at least the image is nice. Take a break from work and start browsing the web for some future vacation spots. Sometimes the whole fun of a trip is in the planning, anyway.

Break your bad habits and build great new ones with TheLifeHabit

Click here for more ways to relax