Stay Calm with These Relaxation Exercises

4 Ultimate Relaxation Exercises Everyone Can Do at Home

These four exercises can help calm your body. They are easy to perform and take just 10 minutes. Worth a try, right?

What Do You Need?

Place a yoga mat or a towel on a flat surface. Set the timer on your phone for 10 minutes and you can begin!

1) Child's Pose

Kneel on a mat. Spread your knees apart and extend your arms forward on the ground, resting your forehead on the mat. Let your buttocks sink back towards your heels. Inhale for 3 counts through your nose and exhale for 6 counts through your nose. This will naturally calm your breathing. Repeat this exercise 8 times.

2) Cat-Cow Pose

Get on your hands and knees. Make sure your hands are directly under your shoulders, spread your fingers, and keep your knees hip-width apart. On an inhale, arch your back and look slightly upwards; on an exhale, round your back and look downwards. Press your hands into the mat for added effect. Repeat this exercise 8 times.

3) Bridge Pose

Lie on your back and place your feet flat behind your buttocks, feet hip-width apart. Press your feet into the mat, lifting your hips upwards. Bring your shoulder blades closer together. This relieves pressure from your neck and elevates you onto your shoulders. Maintain 8 calm breaths, inhaling and exhaling through your nose.

4) Happy Baby Pose

Lie on your back and grasp your feet from the inside. Can't reach? Try grabbing your ankles. Pull your feet downwards and your knees towards your armpits. Breathe calmly in and out. You can now rock back and forth to massage your back. Remain in this position for 8 calm breaths.

Breathe In, Breathe Out

Sit cross-legged, place your hands loosely on your knees, and close your eyes. Sit quietly and focus on your breathing. Wait patiently until the timer goes off. Open your eyes and stand up slowly. Do you feel the difference already? Nice, isn't it? Try to set aside 10 minutes each day for these short exercises and you'll notice you feel much more relaxed.

Author: Sacha Vermeulen