Women today work hard and play hard. Their strenuous and demanding lifestyles often leave very little room for rejuvenation. Career women strive to balance stressful jobs with a fulfilling personal life. Stay-at-home moms cope with parenting and running the household while also trying to find time for their husband. Some women, both single and married, actually juggle both professional lives and parenting, stretching themselves thinner yet. At the end of the day, many are lucky to still be standing. Who has the time or energy to devote to themselves?

According to some research, you need to find some time for yourself or you could face burnout, anxiety, depression and a host of physical ailments as well, including cardiovascular disease. So what can you do to help reduce your stress that doesn't take up a huge amount of time or energy? There are several things, actually. Some are more time consuming than others and some do require more energy, but many can be accomplished in under ten minutes with minimal effort.

Instant Relaxation

1. Take a few deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth, holding your breath in between the inhale and exhale for a count of three seconds, then letting the breath out smoothly and completely. This helps the flow of oxygen to your brain and for a moment puts your focus on something other than the problem at hand.

2. Stop and have a cup of tea. Especially at the end of a long day, a cup of tea can be very relaxing. Herbal teas are often recommended, such as chamomile or ginseng, but honestly, any tea will suffice. Find a favorite, then when you are feeling stressed, stop, take five minutes to make a cup and savor its flavor. Let each sip wash away your worries.

3. Soak your feet. This is a nice treat, especially if you spend any amount of time on your feet. An inexpensive foot bath can be used, some even have built in vibrators to help stimulate the nerve endings. Fill the foot bath with warm water and soak your feet for five to ten minutes. You can sit and enjoy the peace and quiet or take the time to read or watch your favorite television program.

4. Stretch your muscles. Many stretching exercises can be found online and can be completed while sitting at your desk, while waiting for the traffic light to turn green or while at home at the end of the day. Taking a few moments during the day to stop and stretch will give your body a fresh feeling.

5. Take an imaginary vacation. Close your eyes and picture in your mind someplace you love to go that is stress free. Try to imagine every possible detail using all of your senses. See the scenery vividly, smell the air or fragrances, feel the warmth or coolness surrounding you, hear the soothing sounds, taste the delectable food or drink. Make it as real as possible, even it it's only for five minutes. The more you do this, the easier it becomes to transport yourself to your stress free environment.

6. Play with a pet. Don't underestimate the value of spending a few quality minutes with your pet. Petting an animal is very relaxing and you can even tell your pet about the stress of the day. They listen attentively and still love you unconditionally.

7. Play a game. Be it a board game with your family or an online video game, play helps relax you. It takes your mind off of your worries and allows you to release some of your built up tension.

8. Practice smiling. Smiling gives us an instant feel good moment. If you don't feel like smiling, try holding a pen in your teeth (horizontally). This will automatically put your face in a smile. Next, make your eyes smile along with your mouth. Smiling doesn't just reduce stress, it can give you a more positive attitude in general.

This is just a short list to provide you with a starting point. Beating the stress monster is a difficult task, but with a little practice, these small items, while unable to free you from all the stress you face, can certainly provide you with a few moments of relief, which is often enough to get you through the rest of your day, or prepare you for the day ahead. The trick to remember is to incorporate as many of the items into your life as possible and use them frequently. Not everyone can find thirty minutes to an hour for exercise, but anyone can find five to ten minutes to stretch your muscles, take an imaginary vacation or have a cup of tea. Go ahead, try a couple today and see if you don't feel better.