To wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to share a few ways to release tension and center your body. You can work through these movements quickly or slowly. Set your own pace. I encourage you to customize the exercises to meet your unique needs, and designed this collection to be done both seated and standing—accessible to a variety of bodies and ability levels.
You can do all ten from start to finish for a full-body relaxation experience. Or you can pick and choose individual exercises to use when you need them. I love having easy ways to destress in my back pocket, and I hope you will too.
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1. To ease tension in the face: Lick your lips and then swallow, relaxing your tongue and face muscles.
![](https://imanigold.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1_swallow-576x1024.gif)
2. To calm jaw-clenching: Start at the base of your ears and press your thumbs along the jawline. (You know you’re doing it right when you start to salivate.)
![face massage](https://imanigold.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2_facemassage.gif)
3. To relieve the shoulders: Give yourself a tight hug. You can try reaching for the opposite shoulder with your fingertips for a deeper stretch.
![](https://imanigold.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3_hug.gif)
4. To sooth the hands: Massage the meaty muscle between your index finger and thumb.
![](https://imanigold.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/thumb.gif)
5. To release the wrists: Rest the palms of your hand on your thighs and gently press down. (You can gently rock your wrists forward and away from you for more intensity.)
![](https://imanigold.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/wrist-576x1024.gif)
6. To rejuvenate your torso: Place your left hand on your right knee and fold your right arm behind your back and twist. Then switch sides.
![](https://imanigold.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/twist-576x1024.gif)
7. To ease pressure on the lower back: Clench and release your glutes to relieve lower back tension.
![](https://imanigold.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/img_6039b16168cb8.gif)
8. To calm stress in the hips: Pretend there’s a balloon between your thighs and gently squeeze the balloon.
![](https://imanigold.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8_hips-576x1024.gif)
9. To relax the legs: Point and flex your feet and toes, and you’ll legs will feel more
![](https://imanigold.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9_toes-576x1024.gif)
10. To refresh your entire body: Have a good laugh. Yes, really! Laughing is a great way to get fresh air pumping through your body while activating nearly every part of your body.
![](https://imanigold.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/10_laugh-576x1024.gif)
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Maay B. L. M. is a Breathe For Change Wellness Champion Candidate, yoga-instructor-in-training, and child care and development expert. She is also the Imanigold Mind-Body Specialist. You can follow may on Instagram at @maaylemon_.