Stillness on the move

If you really have no time to stop, try these 60-second relaxation tips from

meditation expert, Ralf Marzen, of London, City-based www.stillpointlondon.com

• There is nothing like the power of the breath to calm you down and relax your nervous system. Take 5-10 slow and deep breaths into your belly. Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth with a sigh. Imagine releasing all the tension in your body and mind with each out breath.

• Take one minute to mentally scan your body from head to toes. Allow any tight areas you come across to soften and release with a big exhale. At the end, focus on the solid feeling of your feet on the ground for a few moments. This will release tension and help you feel grounded.

• Smile for no reason - close your eyes, breathe slowly and create a small soft smile with your lips. Make sure your bottom jaw is away from your top jaw. Notice how the muscles in your face relax and your mental state changes the very moment you smile.

• Be in the 'Now': Rather than worrying or multitasking, bring your attention into this very moment. Look around, notice where you are, how your body feels and focus only on one thing at a time. This is called mindfulness and the ideal antidote to the constant mental chatter.

• Calm, serene, relax, melt, soften, let go, release, warm, comfortable, love, - it's been proven positive relaxing words have a wonderful calming affect on our cells. Silently (or verbally, if not shy) repeat these words to yourself and notice how you feel afterwards.

Stillpoint is a London centre for therapy, meditation and stress management - www.stillpointlondon.com