9 Helpful Ways to De-Stress and Promote Relaxation in Just 10 Minutes

Some days, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget just how important it is to regularly stop and make some time to focus on ourselves.

When we have looming deadlines, big assignments and other outside pressures, we can prioritize academics and work over self-care. While it feels like a good idea in the moment, it often just leads to even more stress, less productivity and falling behind in the name of getting ahead. Instead, we suggest you make the most of your breaks—even if it's just 10 minutes at a time—to practice habits that'll enhance your physical, emotional and mental well-being each and every day. We have a few favorite tip for de-stressing and relaxation below.

Practice Breathing Exercises

There are so many types of breathing exercises out there, but they're all effective for harnessing your focus and busting stress as a mindfulness practice. Start simple, and if you can, breathe in through your nose, focusing on the cool air coming in, before breathing out through your mouth, paying attention to the warm air leaving your lungs.

You can also try box breathing, a process of inhaling, holding the breath, exhaling and holding the breath again for four seconds each, or 4-7-8 breathing, inhaling for four seconds, holding it in your lungs for seven and then exhaling for eight. If you struggle to keep track of your breath, there are breathing apps and even YouTube videos to count along with you. When you're extra stressed, you may also try inhaling, pausing, and inhaling once again before exhaling to promote a sense of calm.

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Soak in Your Current Experience

A lot of anxiety has to do with ruminating on the past or speculating about the future, which is why learning to be present and live in the current moment can be such a useful tool for dealing with stress. Try setting time aside to stop whatever you're doing, put away any devices and simply sit there, soaking in the experience that's happening to you right now. Sit in your body and notice how it feels, loosening any tension and noticing where you hold your emotions. Engage the senses of sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch to fully immerse yourself in your environment, if only for a few moments, to disengage with everything that's not part of the here and now.

 

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Indulge Your Senses

Rather than really focusing to take in the experience you're already having, you can also spend time to take things a step further by cultivating a full sensory experience. That can be anything from playing with a fidget toy or watching an ASMR video that makes your brain tingle to listening to your favorite calming or uplifting music. Maybe you want to engage the sense of scent by smelling essential oils, spraying your favorite fragrance or even lighting a handle, which has the added benefit of a flickering, ever-changing flame to focus your eyes and ears on. Finally, treat your taste buds with the flavor or something delicious, whether that's a little dessert or savory treat. We also love the mindful experience of preparing a yummy beverage, like coffee or tea, sweetened and customized to our specific tastes. Whatever you decide to you, make it the full focus of your relaxation time to get the full benefit from the experience.

 

Touch Grass

Okay, so you don't have to literally touch grass, but there are so many benefits to getting off your phone or computer and getting yourself outside for part of the day. If it's not too cold out, try to get some sun on your skin and soak up the warmth of the sunshine, and breathe in the fresh outdoor air. Getting some sun in the mornings can also help you regulate your internal clock, making it easier to get better sleep and wake up in the morning. When you can, going for a short walk can also get your body moving, energizing you both physically and mentally, especially if you take that time to be present in the environment, rather than thinking about other obligations and what's next.

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Have a Good Laugh

We all know the phrase "laughter is the best medicine," and while it may be an old cliché by now, it's words still hold true. A good laugh can help you de-stress, resetting your mood to a more positive one. Rather than mindlessly scrolling through social media for something that might put a smile on your face, we recommend curating a playlist of funny videos or scenes that never fail to make you break out laughing. That way, you can turn to it whenever you need it most. Plus, these benefits can be felt even more strongly if you laugh together with someone close to you.

 

Give Yourself a Massage

Not only do massages feel good, but they're also a great way to feel more mindful and present in your body when you tend to spend most of the day in your head. A hand massage is a great place to start, and all you have to do is apply soft, moving pressure across the wrists, the back of the hands, the fingers and the palms. You can even add a hydrating and nice-smelling lotion (if the moisture won't bug you later) to wake up your sense of smell. Depending on the surroundings and time, you can also make time to massage your arms, feet, legs, neck and shoulders, which can relieve pain and relax tense muscles in the process.

 

Spend Time With a Pet

There's something about the unconditional love of a pet that never fails to brighten our days. Spending time with a pet, whether you're playing with them, petting them or just hanging out, can be the ultimate pick-me-up. Studies have even shown that dedicating even 10 minutes to petting a cat or dog can reduce your levels of cortisol—the stress hormone. Even more, you're not the only one who gets the benefit, since your furry friends probably love when they get to spend extra time with you, too.

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Also read about: Can Petting Cats and Dogs Relieve Stress? We Asked Expert Patricia Pendry

 

Write Down Your Worries

When you can't focus because your mind is overrun with thoughts, instead of trying to push them all away, write them down, instead. Whether you type up your list or take pen to paper, take a moment to spell out everything that's worrying you. Maybe you also want to break the situation down. Why are you anxious about it? Is the fear real, or perceived? What are the possible outcomes of what you're worried about, and are any of them more positive or likely than what you're imagining? We find that simply sitting down and labeling these thoughts and anxieties can partially alleviate them and, at least momentarily, put our minds to rest.

 

Meditate

Meditation may seem daunting, but you don't have to know anything at all about the process to get started with guided meditation. There are so many resources out there, from YouTube videos and apps to other social media videos that will allow you to simply find a quiet place, get in a comfortable position, close your eyes and listen along as you're walked through the process. It's also important to note that meditation is not about clearing your brain of any and all thoughts. You're fully allowed to wander—that's part of the process—and the more you keep up with the practice, the more likely you'll be to see results.

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Eager to become more fearless in 2025? Click HERE for five affirmations to help you get there.