Instant Relaxation Exercises

Stress Relaxation at Your Fingertip

Instant relaxation exercises don’t have to be difficult.

For some, it’s as easy as staring or listening to a water fountain or even closing their eyes and thinking about nothing.

For others, nothing seems to work and stress seems to keep piling on your shoulders.

Relax.

This page contains lots of relaxation ideas and relaxation tips to help you get rid of some of that stress… finally.

Stress Relaxation – Definition of Stress

Do you know what happens when your body experiences stress? Stress hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol are produced and the autonomic nervous system’s sympathetic branch revs up.

What does that mean in simple English? Your body has too much cortisol, which can lead to insomnia, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, anger, tension, frustration, weakening bones and a weakening immune system. Doesn’t sound too good, does it?

To make things worse, drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, and depriving your body from its required sleep and exercise also affects your stress levels.

Free Relaxation Scripts and Relaxation Music

If you have access to a computer with speakers and a quiet room, you can listen to a relaxation script to help you relax. If you don’t have any, feel free to try my free relaxation script right here. You can also record it using your own voice if you prefer.


Music is also a great way to relax. You don’t even have to buy specialized relaxation music. Use your favorite songs from your very own collection and dance along, hum along or sing along.

Instant Relaxation Exercises and Relaxation Ideas

The most useful of all instant relaxation exercises given here is to remember to breathe. As silly as it sounds, we all forget about our breathing and that’s when it becomes shallow.

Breathing deeply can greatly reduce your stress levels. If you need some help with your breathing techniques, try these breathing tips and yoga breathing positions.

By breathing as if you were relaxed (i.e., deep breathing where your stomach rises), your body will actually BECOME relaxed. It doesn’t matter what your external situation is, simply focus on your reaction and on your breathing.

More often than not, it’s not worth getting angry or upset about. Getting upset or angry will likely not solve your problems. Keep that in mind and breathe, then relax.

There are many other instant relaxation exercises for you to try. You can practice mindful meditation by focusing on what is happening to you NOW. Find the good things about your life right now.

The sun may be shining, it may be Friday, you may be wearing your favorite jeans, you may have lost 2 pounds, you may have someone who loves you, you may be really successful at work…

Various Instant Relaxation Exercises

Petit Teapot

Try to remove most of your coffee intake and substitute it with decaffeinated drinks.

Try a warm cup of herbal or decaffeinated tea. I recommend loose Chamomile flower tea.

If you have half an hour to spare, try pouring yourself a warm bath.

You can also take a book with you or close your eyes to relax for a few minutes.

If you live near nature, try going for a walk in the woods, along the beach, or even along a scenic boulevard with lots of foliage. A short 30-minute walk can really relax and refresh your mind.

Pick up a book and sit on your favorite chair.

You can also rent a movie and snuggle with your partner on the couch. If you have a fireplace, try to get hypnotized by the movement of the flames.