4) Plan Long Weekends
If you can't afford a full week away from work, put in for a few Mondays or Fridays instead. Experts say that taking mini-vacations can sufficiently recharge your batteries. (And since you'll be missing only one day of work, you won't have overflowing voicemail or e-mail to contend with when you return.)

"When we examined how vacation length affects stress levels, we found that taking several short breaks may be more beneficial than taking one long one," Eden says.

To get the most out of an extended weekend, you still have to seek out a slight change of scenery. "Physical separation can lead to mental separation from stressors," Nathan says. Check into a nearby B&B for a night, go on an all-day hike, or even just visit a new restaurant across town.

3) Become an Escape Artist

To sufficiently drag your brain out of the work gutter, you need to reset it. The best way to do that is through what psychologists call escapism. That means getting out of the house and experiencing something that transports the mind—think movies, concerts, art exhibitions, comedy shows, sporting events.

"An activity like watching a movie is the metaphorical equivalent of going to Hawaii," says James Amirkhan, Ph. D., a psychology professor at California State University Long Beach. "It lets you mentally check out and remove yourself from the problems in your everyday life."

If thoughts of the office intrude while you're enjoying a baseball game or a summer blockbuster, just briefly acknowledge them and then refocus, Muller says. Redirect your attention toward the sound of the crowd, the taste of your hot dog, or the way Ryan Reynolds's eyes twinkle when he smiles.

2) Get a Hobby
Keeping your hands busy settles your mind. Just ask any knitter. Summertime activities that require repetitive motion, such as barbecuing (place burger on grill, flip, serve, repeat) or gardening (dig, plant, water, repeat), can lower blood pressure and heart rate.
"Repetitive motion works like a meditation mantra: It shuts down the body's fight-or-flight response," Reiner says.
You zero in on the task in front of you, taking your mind off looming deadlines and other upcoming events. For optimal chill-out effect, keep your sessions brief; Reiner advises 20-minute spurts. "The mind-soothing benefits of repetition dwindle the longer you participate in the activity," he says.

1) Stop Tension In Its Tracks


"Once stress escalates, it becomes tougher to let it go," says anxiety expert and clinical psychologist Tamar Chansky, Ph. D. "The secret is to counteract it as soon as it hits." Luckily, it doesn't take long to feel zen again. Next time you feel overwhelmed, try one of these 60-second tension busters:

• Go on a tear. Ripping paper to shreds offers serious relief. "Hearing a satisfying rip gives you something to focus on, and the physical act of shredding something without causing real harm releases tension," Chansky says.
• Share a joke. Cracking up increases feel-good endorphins and decreases stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, say researchers at the University of California, Irvine.
• Just breathe. Achieve inner peace with this quick breathing exercise from Judith Orloff, M. D., assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA. First, conjure up an image that makes you feel tranquil, then close your eyes and take eight deep breaths, paying attention to the air filling your chest. Exhale with a sigh, imagining all the tension in your body evaporating. "Slow breaths help reduce stress hormones in the body," Orloff says. And a calmer you is a happier you.

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Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/files/best-tips/chill-out.html