Deep breathing

Here's a relaxation and centering exercise that is very refreshing:

Meditation can take many forms, including the art of deep breathing. It's a great way to relieve stress.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these steps to deep breathing, which helps your body get plenty of oxygen:

* Lie on your back on a flat surface.

* Rest one hand on your stomach above your belly button, and the other hand on your chest.

* Breathe in slowly and deeply, making your stomach rise a bit. Hold for a second.

* Slowly exhale, so that your stomach goes back down.

* Repeat several times.

You can also try this with a book on your stomach. Make the book go up and down and you know you're breathing correctly.