Relaxing can be tough to fit in between meetings, school, work and errands, but it’s necessary to prevent burnout and emotional health, as well as physical well-being. To help you squeeze in a little relaxation time so that you can de-stress wherever you are, we’ve compiled this list of 100 illustrated exercises and guides for your mind, body and soul.

Yoga

The emotional and physical health benefits of yoga are widely known, and even simple exercises can help you unwind and release tension.

1. Kundalini Yoga Asana for Meditation: This butterfly pose is recommended for all yoga practicers.
2. Standing Poses Gallery: Here you’ll find photos of poses like the Reverse Warrior and others.
3. Pelvic Tilts: This guide will show you how to correctly do the pelvic tilts exercise.
4. Kundalini Yoga Cat-Cow Pose: This technique helps clear out your diaphragm and rid it of "emotional debris."
5. Backbends Photo Gallery: Stretch out your back, neck and chest with the Bow Pose, Fish Variation and others.
6. Hatha Yoga Wheel Pose: Try to hold this pose for as long as 3 minutes to get the full benefits.
7. Yoga Restorative Poses Photo Gallery: Learn how to do the Goddess Pose and other "prop poses" here.
8. Hatha Yoga Back Stretching Pose: This particular pose is supposed to be good for your nervous system and promote longevity.
9. Yoga Poses You Can Really Use: Learn how to do the Awkward Chair Pose and Cow Face Arms here.
10. Core Strengthening Poses: Strengthen your abs and improve your posture with these poses.
11. Hip Opening Poses: Here you’ll learn downward facing frog and others.
12. Bikram Yoga Poses: See how the 26 Bikram Yoga poses are supposed to be executed.
13. Yoga for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Promote healing and wellness with these poses.
14. Wind Releasing Pose: This pose is designed to release gas.
15. Yoga Postures Step by Step: Browse yoga postures by sanskrit name or English name here.

Desk Exercises

These office-friendly exercises can be done right at your desk.

17. Desktop Yoga: This illustrated guide helps you prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
18. Best Exercises to Do at Your Desk: Learn which exercises are best for doing at your desk, and for how long you should do each one.
19. Stretches and Exercises You Can Do at Your Desk: This gallery encourages the use of props, like a stool, desk chair and the wall.
20. Stretching Your Back While at the Desk: This very simple stretch is demonstrated here.
21. Collect Your Seat Muscles with Wall Squats: If you have your own office space, this exercise can be done in private throughout the day.
22. Office ergonomics: Get out of your chair!: These photographs show easy ways to do modified push ups, hand squeezes and squats at your desk.
23. Computer and Desk Stretches: Print out and hang up this illustrated guide of 12 different office-friendly stretches.
24. How to do Basic Deskercise: Watch this video for easy exercises you can do at your desk.
25. Desk Exercises to Boost Your Work Energy: View this guide to perfect the "yes-sir" stretch and others.
26. Desk Exercises: From here, you can download a PDF guide to desk ergonomics.

Massage

Learn massage techniques to help someone else unwind or learn self-massage exercises for a quick and simple way to de-stress.

27. Four basic massage techniques: These include circular friction, beating percussion and others.
28. Introduction to Therapeutic Back Massage: This guide includes illustrated pictures for each tip.
29. Deep Tissue Massage: Photographs accompany each of these techniques here.
30. Handbook for Chiropractic Techniques: Get massage tips for eye fatigue, stiff shoulders and more.
31. Massage Techniques: Watch the video while reading about key massage techniques here.
32. Neck and Shoulder Massage: Help someone relieve headaches and backaches with these techniques.
33. Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage: This type of massage is supposed to be spiritual as well as physically relaxing.
34. Learn Massage Online Video Tour: Watch these videos to learn how to give back massages.
35. Fabulous Foot Massage: A foot massage can be incredibly relaxing. Learn techniques here.
36. Baby Massage: Learn how to soothe a restless baby with these tips.
37. How to give a deep stress relief back massage: A nationally certified massage therapist demonstrates key techniques here.
38. How to de-stress with self massage: Practice these techniques when your stress starts to mount.
39. Anxiety Massage Therapy Video: Learn how to ease anxiety with massage in this short video.

Breathing Exercises

Deep breathing can instantly clear your head and make you feel more focused and relaxed. Follow these tips and guides to make sure you’re breathing the right way.

40. Ana Ortiz’s De-stress Techniques: Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz shares de-stress techniques, including deep breathing tips.
41. De-Stress with Dr. Andrew Weil: Best-selling author Dr. Andrew Weil demonstrates meditation and breathing techniques.
42. Breathing Exercises: Introduction to Pranayama: This yoga video focuses on breathing exercises.
43. Meditation with Deep Breathing: This Expert Village video features deep breathing and meditation techniques.
44. Qigong Beginning Exercises: Clear your head with qigong breathing exercises.
45. How to Do Breathing Exercises to Relieve Menopause: These breathing exercises are designed to reduce anxiety and hot flashes.
46. Yoga Breathing Exercises: Enhance your yoga workout with better breathing techniques.
47. Breathing Exercises for Synchronized Swimming: Even if you’re not a synchronized swimmer, these "lung busters" can be relaxing and centering.
48. Breathing Relaxation Exercise: This 4 1/2 minute video is devoted to breathing deeply and correctly.
49. Breathe and Relax: Relax your spine and relearn how to breathe correctly with this video.

Meditation

This list features meditation illustrations and videos that are good for clearing your head and taking a step back.

50. Meditation Techniques: The Secrets: Learn how to zone out by watching this video.
51. Free Online Meditation and Yoga Classes: Watch videos and view illustrated guides for relaxing meditation techniques.
52. Meditation with Anusara Yogi Bridget Woods Kramer: This video combines yoga and meditation.
53. Relaxation Meditation Nature Sounds: Use this video to help you relax.
54. Guided Meditation: Observing Your self: This video talks you through the strategy of observing yourself in order to relax.

Videos

Watch these videos to learn all sorts of relaxation exercises and de-stressing techniques, like self-massage, meditation and more.

56. How to de-stress for better sleep: Learn how sleep and stress are related and how you can improve your rest.
57. How to de-stress: Neck Stretch: Watch a quick demonstration of great stretching techniques here.
58. Yoga Relaxation Techniques: Learn how to "calm and relax the entire body" when you watch this video.
59. Office Relaxation Techniques: This funny documentary asks office mates what they do to relax.
60. Relaxation Techniques: Learn how to tune out "chatter" with this video.
61. Most Relaxing Voice on YouTube: If you’re really desperate to relax, listen to this 43-second video of a woman who supposedly has the most relaxing voice on YouTube.
62. Body Relaxation Exercise: This 6-minute video asks you to "free your mind" while you relax.
63. Hypnosis for sleep and relaxation: Try falling asleep with this video.
64. How to relax your lower back: This video may be able to help you ease back pain.
65. Stress-relief exercises: This expert shares simple exercises and moves to relieve everyday stressors instantly.
66. Acupuncture Therapy: Watch this video first if you’re thinking of trying acupuncture.
67. Two Minute Relaxation Technique: Watch this short video to learn a simple exercise that will help you reduce tension and stress.
68. Free Yoga Relaxation Techniques Video Clip: Lie down and try this simple relaxation exercise when you want to reduce stress in your entire body.
69. Learn Relaxation Techniques for Work: Learn how to practice visualization in order to relax.
70. Learn Deep Relaxation Techniques for Work: This video teaches you how to do a mini self massage.

Pilates

Like yoga, Pilates is a great workout but also a way to tune into your body and help it relax.

71. The Illustrated Full Squat: This Pilates exercise is demonstrated here.
72. Relaxation Script: Mimic the diagram for a Pilates-inspired relaxation exercise.
73. See How to Get a Pilates Body: This photograph guide is full of Pilates demonstrations.
74. Illustrated Pilates exercises: Download these Pilates videos and more to learn more relaxing and rejuvenating exercises.
75. The Pilates power system: Practice simple Pilates moves along with this video.
76. Michael Miller Pilates: Learn how to do 40 different mat stretches and exercises here.
77. Yogilates: Watch these videos for a mix of yoga and pilates.
78. Novice Pilates exercises: If you’re new to Pilates, try out these beginning exercises first.
79. Intermediate Pilates exercises: Here you’ll see demonstrations of the teaser, full legs stretch and more.
80. Free Pilate Exercises: Here you can find pictures and examples of exercises like the roll out, one leg raises, leg curl, arm flutter and more.

Stretches

Simple stretches can relieve back pain, improve posture, strengthen your core and help you relax.

81. How to Counteract the Effects of Hunching Over: This back stretch can help you improve your posture.
82. Stretching: An Illustrated Guide: Here you’ll find color illustrations for shoulder, tricep, neck and other stretches.
83. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Stretching, Illustrated: Learn simple stretch moves here.
84. Changing Shape: Join this fitness group to view and upload your own stretch and exercise photos.
85. Buttock Stretches: Give your butt a good stretch by following this girl’s example.
86. Upper Body Stretches: NaturalPhysiques shares great stretching tips for loosening up.
87. Leg Stretches: Stretch your hamstring, quadriceps and calf with these exercises.
88. Leg Hold: If you’re really flexible, try out this elegant dancer’s stretch.
89. Barre Stretches: Relax with controlled, deep stretching on a ballet barre.
90. Chest and Shoulder Stretches: Learn how to correctly do the mid pectoral stretch and others.
91. Peroneal Tendon Strain Exercises: Work out your calf, heels and ankles with these exercises.

Swimming

Swimming can be very relaxing and is also a great workout. Learn basic strokes here.

92. Dumbbell Butterfly Swim Strokes: This weight lifting exercise mimics the butterfly stroke.
93. How to Teach Kids to Swim: This Expert Village video demonstrates how to do basic glides and swimming strokes.
94. Freestyle Swimming Techniques: Learn the correct arm stroke in freestyle to get the maximum benefits of swimming.
95. Swimming – Skills, Techniques: Watch these swimmers for correct demonstrations of several strokes.

Sports, Fitness and Dance

From modern dance to boxing, sports and fitness exercises are great for anger management and stress.

96. Running Technique: Running or jogging can be an extremely centering exercise that de-stresses the body and mind.
97. Boxing Punches: Boxing can be good for anger management and for de-stressing. Learn basic punches here.
98. Proper Sprinting Techniques: This guide shows how to say safe when you sprint.
99. Modern Dance Moves for Beginners: Modern dance can be a spiritual and physical experience for some. Learn basic steps here.
100. Ballet Positions, Moves and Techniques: Learn the ballet positions and watch video to learn pirouettes, attitude leaps, side leaps, pique turns and more.

If you enjoyed this article, consider this: