Quick Stress Fix Rituals to Unwind your Mind, Body & Soul

Give these simple therapeutic techniques a try.

Inhale, Exhale - Here’s a hard fact about stress: it’s a part of life. So when your 9 to 5 and social calendar are stressing you out, remember the power of touch, breathing and aroma—simple and effective ways to woosah. We’re giving these therapeutic techniques a try, and you should too. By Metanoya Z. Webb Whether you have 10 seconds or 10 minutes to spare, this foolproof breathing exercise is bound to calm you down. Simply roll Aveda’s stress-fix concentrate on to your inner wrists, bring them to your nose, and inhale the lavender-laced aroma. Trust us, it works! (Photo: Aveda)

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Inhale, Exhale - Here’s a hard fact about stress: it’s a part of life. So when your 9 to 5 and social calendar are stressing you out, remember the power of touch, breathing and aroma—simple and effective ways to woosah. We’re giving these therapeutic techniques a try, and you should too. By Metanoya Z. Webb Whether you have 10 seconds or 10 minutes to spare, this foolproof breathing exercise is bound to calm you down. Simply roll Aveda’s stress-fix concentrate on to your inner wrists, bring them to your nose, and inhale the lavender-laced aroma. Trust us, it works! (Photo: Aveda)

Rub Out Stress - Relieve unwanted tension by using one thumb to massage the muscular areas of your other thumb with a rich lotion like Aveda’s Stress-Fix crème. You don’t need to carve out an hour for a soothing, back massage. It’s great when you have time, but when you don’t; a five-minute hand massage significantly lowers stress levels, too.(Photo: Aveda)

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Rub Out Stress - Relieve unwanted tension by using one thumb to massage the muscular areas of your other thumb with a rich lotion like Aveda’s Stress-Fix crème. You don’t need to carve out an hour for a soothing, back massage. It’s great when you have time, but when you don’t; a five-minute hand massage significantly lowers stress levels, too.(Photo: Aveda)

On Yoga and Satan - “The purpose of such meditation is to empty oneself. … [Satan] is happy to invade the empty vacuum of your soul and possess it."(Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Getty Images)

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Roll Your Neck - Stress makes your muscles tense up and can cause headaches, a stiff neck, sore shoulders and a knotted back. When you don’t have the time to stretch your entire body, try rotating your head from left to right, front to back, and side to side while simultaneously inhaling and exhaling slowly. These simple upper body stretching exercises release tension. (Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Getty Images

Pamper Your Feet - Loubs are cool and all, but sexy stilettos do a number on our dogs.  Each night, for one week, spend a measly 5 minutes smoothing this stress relief body lotion, laced with eucalyptus and spearmint, throughout your tired feet and then rotate your ankles, 3 times, in both directions. Once you’re done with that, massage the arch of your foot from the heel to the toe, treating tender areas with steady circular motions. Ahhhhh...  (Photo: Bath & Body Works)

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Pamper Your Feet - Loubs are cool and all, but sexy stilettos do a number on our dogs.  Each night, for one week, spend a measly 5 minutes smoothing this stress relief body lotion, laced with eucalyptus and spearmint, throughout your tired feet and then rotate your ankles, 3 times, in both directions. Once you’re done with that, massage the arch of your foot from the heel to the toe, treating tender areas with steady circular motions. Ahhhhh...  (Photo: Bath & Body Works)

Find Sanctuary in a Warm Bath - All it takes is two tablespoons of Molton Brown’s seamoss soaking salt and a tub of warm water to send your body into a deep state of relaxation. Light a candle, cue the R&B and lay back in the bath with a damp washcloth over your eyes. (Photo: Molton Brown)

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Find Sanctuary in a Warm Bath - All it takes is two tablespoons of Molton Brown’s seamoss soaking salt and a tub of warm water to send your body into a deep state of relaxation. Light a candle, cue the R&B and lay back in the bath with a damp washcloth over your eyes. (Photo: Molton Brown)

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Manicure/Pedicure - Pamper yourself. Get rid of those cuticles. Scrub those callouses away. Make sure that whoever’s doing it sees that your nails are extra-polished. (Photo: George Doyle/Getty Images)

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Pamper Yourself - It’s not like we need an excuse to treat ourselves to a mani and pedi, but in the event that you do, having someone pamper you is the easiest way to access nirvana—temporarily at least. (Photo: George Doyle/Getty Images)

Spa Week - Need an excuse to get a massage? October 20-26 is Spa Week. That means $50 treatments at select spas around the country. So now you can get that fancy facial you've been hearing all your friends and co-workers rave about without the guilt of dishing out the extra dough. Book your appointment now. (Photo: Ruslan Dashinsky/Getty Images)

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Massage Therapy - Got time? Treat your body to the mental, physical and emotional break it deserves with a muscle-tension reducing massage. The benefits go beyond feelings of relaxation and wellness. New research is also starting to reveal a variety of health benefits. (Photo: Ruslan Dashinsky/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Ruslan Dashinsky/Getty Images