Top 3 ways to Relax

If you are feeling stressed, one of the best things you can do is go for a run or hit the gym. Exercise is great for releasing mood- boosting chemicals such as endorphins and anandamine, which can help to lower anxiety and increase mental wellbeing. On top of this, exercise is also good for taking your mind off problems and helping to induce sleep.

Get affectionate

Having a hug is a renowned mood booster, and research findings published in Psychomatic Medicine have reinforced what we knew all along - that having a cuddle is great for reducing stress. Having physical contact has been found to raise levels of oxytocin - the "love hormone" - and lower levels of stress hormone cortisol, putting us in a more relaxed frame of mind.

Get in the moment

There are various things you can do to relax. However, if you are not fully present in the moment, it is unlikely you will fully benefit from these. If you find it difficult to switch off from your stresses, try making a list of anything that needs to be dealt with at a later date, set a time and date to deal with each item, then switch off your mind, cast your cares aside, and focus for now on simply enjoying the moment.