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Whether we like it, admit it, or don’t, stress is part of our everyday life. So before you get overwhelmed, try this 5-minute stress reduction exercise.

Sit in a comfortable chair or life down on the floor. Close your eyes.

Scrunch up your cheeks and eyes, as tight as you can and count to five. Now relax. Count to five and repeat.

Pull your shoulders up towards your ears and count to five. Now relax. Count to five and repeat.

Tense your arms, from your fingertips to your shoulders and count to five. Relax and repeat.

Make a fist. Count to five, relax and repeat.

Continue down your body with your abdominal muscles, thighs, legs and feet. With each section, hold to a count of five. Relax and repeat.

Finally, end with deep breathing, making sure your chest and abdomen rise. Inhale to a count of five, hold for five, and exhale for a count of five. Repeat five times.

Open your eyes and regain you sense of space, rising slowly.

Now you are ready to face the next challenge of the day.

until next time…