Surround yourself with furry friends and your favourite things
Have a little faith
Stopping for five minutes to pray and ask for God's help is a sure way to give me fresh perspective and renewed energy to meet the challenges and responsibilities that bombard me each day. Such times of meditation leave me with great peace and security, reminding me that there is always someone to help me when I need it most.
Ruth Micklefield
Just breathe
My favourite five-minute de-stressor is breathing deeply. Inhale and create a balloon with your abdomen, exhale and allow your abdomen to sink. You can do it anywhere, anytime, it calms and slows you down, gives your body energy with the extra oxygen and helps you when driving, waiting in line, during meetings and with your relationships, too.
Monique Duguay
Have some doggone fun
My favourite way to unwind quickly is to get on the floor with my dog, a 10-year old Sheltie. If he's being lazy then we just hang out. I rub his belly and scratch behind his ears and he reciprocates by giving me kisses on the back of my hands. If he's feeling lively then I tug on his legs (he only has three) and spin him around on the floor. He always looks like he's laughing his head off. It works every time. :-)
Sylvia Currie
Call on a few of your favourite things
Sit back with a homemade mocha with chocolate milk foam and sprinkles, light a scented candle, and put on your favourite song. Guaranteed to relax and de-stress you, as long as you're not allergic to chocolate or afraid of candles.
Tammy Loiselle
London, ON
Some say that stress is a fact of life but when tension threatens to break your spirit, remember that stress-busting solutions abound. The next time you want to calm down and return to your very own version of bliss, go on and take five!
You can also work stress right out of your body with stress-relieving exercises.
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