how to be chill

Take a tropical vacation without leaving the desk chair. Use a fiveminute break to peel, slice, and bite into ajuicy mango, which packs a compound calledlinaloolthat helps lower stress levels. Dont fret about the juice dripping down your chin the stress relief is worth the mess.

Sometimes theres nothing more satisfying thanmunching awayon a candy barwhen were stressed one study found stressed adults craved crunchy and salty snacks more than usual. But that salty crunch doesnt have to be so sugary a handful of trail mix or a bag of celery sticks will work just as well.

No need to go on a retreat to the mountains five minutes of peace is all it takes to reap thebenefits of meditation.Theres evidencethat 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.

There are days when all we really need is a nice, long nap. But its not always possible to start snoring in the middle of the office. If youve got a pillow, youre already on the road to relaxation. Try this visualization technique:Lay your headdown for a few minutes and imagine the pillow is a sponge sucking up all your worries.

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

Anxious? Just squeeze, release, and repeat.Progressive relaxationinvolves tensing the muscles in one body part at a time to achieve a state of calm. The method (also used by actors) is a great way to help fall asleep.

The doorbell rings. Its Ryan Gosling (or Elizabeth Banks), and he/she wants to know if youll marry him/her. Yes you shout and then sorry, times up. These little daydreams, also known as creative visualization, involve thinking of something that makes usfeel happy. Its an instant mood boost on hectic days when were feeling tense.

You can close your eyes, its all right. Take a quick break from a busy office or a chaotic household by just lowering your eyelids. Its an easy way toregain calmand focus.

When theres no professional masseuse in sight, try DIYing ahand massageforinstant relaxationthat calms a pounding heart.Massagescan be especially helpful for people who spend a lot of time typing on a keyboard. Hands in general can carry a lot of tension. Apply some luxurious lotion and start kneading the base of the muscle under the thumb to relieve stress in the shoulders, neck, and scalp.

Not everyone needs a cabin the woods, but five minutes ofalone timecan help youcollect your thoughtsand clear your head.