There has been alot of articles written on how to relax and beat stress. But most of them advice to use techniques that most of us find time consuming.

Here are some ways that can help you relax in twenty minutes or less and since they require minimal practice and space it can be done anywhere.

With your eyes closed,COUNT BACKWARDS from twenty,saying each number quitely while exhaling and all the time concentrating and calling your imagination to play. Imagine yourself going down a flight of stairs or visualizing every floor that an elevator passes.

Count down from your age as you imagine yourself travelling briefly into your past. When you have reached the number zero and you want to continue your normal routine, inhale deeply and release your breath while counting to three.

STOP what you are doing and while closing your eyes,IMAGINE A SPECTACULAR SCENE, maybe something you saw or did during your last vacation. Spend some time examining and reliving every detail of that mental picture.

If you went to the beach,by all means listen for the waves crashing onto the beach,count the trees and flowers you see.

TRY TO SEE,HEAR AND SMELL THINGS in your mental picture.

 At your table,during your breaks, waiting for a stop light to go green or even riding a bus, INHALE and SLOWLY imagine your body. Think about each muscle group of your face,neck,shoulders,arms,chest,belly,legs and feet, all the while LOOKING for tense muscle groups.

Now as you exhale, slowly relax all the muscles that are tense.

 A very simple but effective exercise adapted from a yoga technique that is designed to relax the muscles of your neck and back.

1. Sit up straight, take a deep breath and let your chin fall to your chest as you exhale.

2. Inhale and  slowly move your head backwards  as though you are trying to touch the back of your neck wit hyour head.

3. Then slowly pull your shoulders up as if you are trying to touch your ears with them.

This is an anytime,anywhere technique.