How to relax

The ability to unwind through stressful moments means the power to re-charge yourself and win. Here's how to do it. The ability to work is important, so is the ability to focus intensely and put up with stress and strain. Many a times what makes the difference between success and failure, winning and losing, happiness and depression, is the ability to relax. You don't need a long vacation, or consultation with a psychiatrist for all levels of stress. Most of the time, the following is all you need:

1. Make someone's day. Buy somebody a treat or ask whether there's anything you can do to help.
2. Call a friend you haven't seen within the past month.
3. Offer to coach a basket team or anything that you have talent and experience in.
4. Get a new hobby or re-kindle an old one.
5. Join a charity run or walk, train for it.
6. Learn a language, a musical instrument, a sport or art form.
7. Spend much more time eating then the time you use to prepare your meals.
8. Get at least eight hours of sleep.
9. Hug someone at least five times a day.
10. Have a hot bath, with your favorite music on, sing along it if you can.
11. Have some nuts, chocolates, coffee and chicken breast regularly, but moderately. All these foods have been shown to help elevate the mood.
12. Have a dental check, a medical check and a hair cut to put everything right.
13. Read a story to your kids. Ask your teenage kids about what they enjoy lately, be it music, video clips or movies.
14. Have your fair share of sunlight, moonlight and fresh air.
15. Laugh out loud at least four times a day, in company you're relaxed with.
16. Read something positive, a book, a website or a column in newspaper, everyday.