There are lots of ways to relax. Some, like guided imagery, are designed to relax your mind. Others, like progressive muscle relaxation, help relax your body. But because of the way the mind and body are connected, many relaxation methods work on both the mind and the body.

Take slow, deep breaths.When you breathe deeply, it sends a message to you to calm down and relax.

Practice mindful meditation.
The goal of mindful meditation is to focus your attention on things that are happening right now in the present moment. For example, listen to your body. Is your breathing fast, slow, deep, or shallow? Do you hear noises, such as traffic, or do you hear only silence? The idea is just to note what is happening without trying to change it. This may take some practice.

Write about stressful things and events.It may help to write about things that are bothering you. Write for 10 to 15 minutes a day about stressful events and how they made you feel. Or think about tracking your stress. For example, write down what was happening when you felt the stress, and how intense the stress was. This helps you find out what is causing your stress and how much stress you feel.

Use guided imagery.With this technique, you imagine yourself in a certain setting that helps you feel calm and relaxed. You can use online videos, scripts, or a teacher to guide you through the process.

Let your feelings out.Talk, laugh, cry, and express anger when you need to. Talking with friends, family, a counsellor, or a spiritual advisor about your feelings is a healthy way to relieve stress.

Do something you enjoy.You may feel that you're too busy to do these things. But making time to do something you enjoy can help you relax.