
"Mindfulness invites us to rest in what is happening right now.

"So much of our day is spent in anxiety producing thoughts, either reliving that horrible conversation you already had or fantasizing about how you're going to get your way in the future," says Lodro Rinzler, author and co-founder of MNDFL meditation centers in New York City. Kaplin says the true key is developing "a mindset of, 'I can relax whenever and however I choose.' Then comes "getting present in the moment and choosing one’s form of relaxation." Don't forget to breathe: Meditation really works. In case you need a reminder: The world won't end if you do press pause once in a while, and your body has ways of letting you know it's actually a need, not a luxury. If she believes she can’t relax until all of that is complete, she never will." A woman will sit down to relax and her mind will be spinning about all of the things that need to be done. Making time to chill out can be especially challenging for women, according to Kaplin, "because they often have so many things on their plates, including the emotional labor of running a home. "The biggest barrier most people face when it comes to relaxing is their mindset about what 'relaxation' really is," says Lisa Kaplin, psychologist and women's empowerment coach. Accepting that you deserve to unwind is the first step. Here are our best expert-approved tips on how to relax your mind and body-before bed, or right now this minute-using some tried-and-true methods. Making small lifestyle changes and adding a few new habits can help you find some inner peace and relaxation, whether you've got a day, an hour, or just a few minutes. And even if you're working from home, it can be challenging to set boundaries and sign off for some quality me-time.īut, there's no reason to give your anxiety full reign over your brain. As wonderful as a wellness retreat or a resort getaway sounds, most of us can rarely find the money and time off required to do it.

It's all too easy to keep chugging along until you're suddenly in deep need of stress relief: your muscles are begging for a massage, your brain is fried and, to quote the wise Shakira, you're starting to feel just a little abused, like a coffee machine in an office. No wonder "figure out how to relax and be happy" is often the last bullet point on our never-ending to-do lists. In fact, American culture seems to prize being overbooked and exhausted to the point that it's become a status symbol to not practice self-care.

Between commitments to work, family and friends, the round-the-clock demands on our time can feel relentless.
