by Maria Miaoulis

Created on: April 10, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Every day is pretty much a whirlwind of activity. You're constantly on the run and often find yourself wondering where the time goes. As exciting and eventful as it sounds, no one can keep up this kind of pace for long, at least not before becoming worn out. However, there are simple things you can do to restore some balance to your life, and the best part is they only take a few minutes to complete. Here are some tips to get started:

1. Adopt a mantra - Create your own personal affirmation to repeat several times a day. It can be as straightforward as "I am a child of God," or "I choose to live my life with dignity and honesty." Tailor the slogan to your unique circumstances and say it over again and again as the day progresses.

2. Breathe - When you wake up in the morning, take a few minutes to breathe deeply. Focus on breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Pay attention to how your abdomen expands with each breath. Use this exercise the minute you begin to feel stressed during your day. Find yourself a corner and begin breathing. The more oxygen you take in, the less anxious you will feel.

3. Laugh - It is said that laughter is the best medicine, and research indicates that laughing helps your body reduce fear, aggression and nervousness. So pick up the comics section of the paper, invite friends over for a comedy night or recall your most embarrassing high school moment and let it all out. The louder the better.

4. Stretch or walk - If you're confined to your desk all day at work, simple stretches will invigorate your body. Use the stairs instead of the elevator or go even further and take a stroll around your park or neighborhood.

5. Think positively - We are so quick to catastrophize and see the bad in a situation. Whether you know it or not, this negativity weighs you down, affecting your attitude for the rest of the day. So look for the positive aspects they're there if you search.

6. Think of your blessings - We take many things for granted. Take some time to remember what's important in life- health, family, friends, etc. These simple miracles remind us that we only have today because tomorrow is not guaranteed. So make the most of what you're given.

7. Clear your mind - End each day with a brief meditation. Find a quiet corner where you will not be disturbed and eliminate all distractions. Try to imagine you're somewhere else, a meadow, near the water, etc., and allow yourself to drift aimlessly for as long as you want or are able to.

As you can see, bringing balance to your life requires only a few minutes of your time, and you likely won't even realize you're doing them. Thus, not much stands in your way to more tranquil living.

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