Simple Ways to Unwind. When you're having a hectic day, a quick pampering session is just the ticket to put your mind at ease. And there's no need to visit a pricey spa to indulge yourself. Just try:

Stopping Stress With a Mini Massage. This easy acupressure exercise is a surprisingly powerful 30-second way to erase tension: Press firmly on the fleshy part of your hand between your thumb and index finger and hold for half a minute. Doing so releases energy that increases circulation and improves blood flow to muscles.

Finding Calm With This Trick. When anxiety strikes, your nervous system kicks into high gear, which can heighten worries. To stop the cycle, take a normal breath and exhale slowly to a count of five. Repeat until you feel yourself unwinding.

Melting Tension With More Tension. Sounds nutty? It's not! It's called progressive muscle relaxation. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, scrunch up your toes tightly and hold for five counts. Exhale slowly and release. Repeat with each body area – legs, backside, etc. – moving all the way up to your scalp.

Relaxing With Warm Water. Next time you feel a jolt of anxiety and notice that your heart is pounding, run warm water over your wrists for 30 seconds. The warmth washing over your pulse points helps your heart slow to its normal rate.

Easy Ways to let go of Your Worries. The secret to being more care free is to confront your concerns.

Using a Worry box. This ancient technique really works. Write down your current worries on a piece of paper and place it inside a box with a lid. Putting your concerns in black and white diminishes their power. Experts confirm this simple ritual provides significant relief.

Creating Insta-Calm by Clearing Clutter. Having too many things piled up on your desk or by the front door saps your energy and creates anxiety – you're worrying about when you'll ever take care of it. Solution: Pinpoint the clutter you can stow away – books you've read and outgrown toys. Place those items in garbage bags and stash them out of sight for peace of mind.

Tapping Into the Power of Touch. Did you know women are much more tactile than men? We are! That's one reason why gently rubbing your fingers over a string of smooth beads can make you feel calmer

Nurture a Peaceful, Positive Attitude. Women who think positively tend to feel happier all day. You can start by:

Taking a Break at the Same Time Every day. Research shows most of us admire other women who take time for themselves. Blocking out just 10 minutes a day to do nothing is one of the surest ways to ensure calm and happiness. The anticipation alone is enough to help you feel upbeat for hours.

Dining Together and Sharing This. Something good! Family meals are proven to help everyone feel more connected and more peaceful overall. But that effect can be heightened if each person at the table takes a turn relating one good thing that happened that day. It helps recharge everyone's positive outlook.

Brighten Your Outlook With Peppermint. Rub on some minty hand cream. Its aroma increases alertness, which helps your mind focus on the task at hand instead of unrelated negative thoughts.