Take a moment to stop what you're doing - be it twittering or facebooking or looking up what to make for dinner tonight - and do this simple exercise.....

Quit what you're doing (save important things) and go to your desktop, or, if that's not practical, simply shrink the pages you're working with so that you only have the desktop image in front of you. If you don't have a peaceful scene here now is the time when you should consider changing it. Find something that appeals to you visually. Colors you find relaxing and images you automatically see as tranquil. Now, let's get you into a better seated position - and a calmer mental state.

First, there is no true art to breathing. It's something we do from birth because it's necessary and no one had to give us any instructions. But this is not simply about survival. It's about improving the quality of your life in just a few short minutes, and making your day a happier one.

Sit up straight, but comfortably so not at military attention. Relax your shoulders and bring them down slightly, gently, so that you release any tension in your neck and upper back. Bring your chin up and make sure your lower back stays straight and that you don't slouch.

Take one deep breath and exhale. Take a second one and this time draw in your abdominal muscles as you exhale. This is commonly referred to as bringing your "navel to your spine", and is an action that causes your lower abs to support the base of your spinal column and make you feel very comfortable.

Place your arms on your desk in front of you, stretched out with elbows bent and palms facing up.

Your feet should be flat on the floor, knees touching, and one foot should be slightly in front of the other - do not cross them. Let your fingers go limp as if you were in water. Close your eyes. Keeping your abdominal muscles engaged but not painfully so, take three more deep, cleansing, breaths. Each breath should take 4 counts in and 4 counts out. Concentrate on letting the energy flow out through your hands and your feet with each breath. Say, "ahh" out loud if you are comfortable doing so.

Slowly open your eyes and look at the desktop scene you just selected. Breathe gently and quietly. You should be very relaxed and your mind should be still . Look at the objects and colors in front of you without asking yourself questions about them. Simply notice their detail visually and enjoy the beauty of it for a full minute or as long as you like.

Take one more very deep breath, this time lifting up your torso as you inhale and pulling in the abs as you exhale. Raise your arms above your head, stretch your spine and give your arms a gentle shake as you lower them. You should feel quite refreshed and ready to get back to what you were doing.

Tips:

The room you are in should be as quiet as possible - no noise at all if you can possibly manage it. Turn off the sound on your cell phone and your house line as well so that you are not disturbed during this exercise.

If you cannot be in a quiet place, using headphones is a good idea. Listening to quiet music or nature sounds is a nice alternative as well.

Desktop scenes featuring shades of blue and green are especially restful.

The more you practice relaxation techniques the better the results so you should take a few minutes to do this every day.

Namaste!