For Mental Health Awareness Month, treat your mind and body with these 10 simple, relaxing activities.

Whether precipitated by school, work or personal relationships, stress is nearly ubiquitous to the day-to-day of adult life. While a very low level of stress may contribute to your productivity, letting it build up can wreak havoc on your mental and physical health, exposing you to a host of complications that are easily preventable.

While practicing self-care may seem like just another daunting, time-consuming task to add to your to-do list, you may be surprised to learn that many of these methods can be integrated into your daily routine with relative ease. Follow these simple self-care tips to begin living a healthier life:

1. One Minute: Try a Hand Trick

Pressing down on the space between the knuckles of your pointer and middle fingers can quickly dissolve that nervous, uneasy sensation you get in your stomach when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

2. Five Minutes: Listen to Your Favorite Song

Music — particularly classical music — can have a calming effect on your brain and body. In moments of stress, put on your favorite song and let your mind drift into the waves of sound. Dancing and singing along to a good song can also work wonders — even if you’re not good at either!

3. Five Minutes: Breathe Mindfully

It’s easy not to think about something we’re constantly doing, but focusing on your breathing is one of the fastest ways to relieve stress. Try taking a few deep belly breaths when you feel tense — you’ll feel the difference immediately. There are plenty of more complex breathing exercises out there, all of which can actually calm your nervous system and trick your body into thinking it is relaxed during stressful times.

4. 10 Minutes: Eat a Small, Healthy Snack

A handful of nuts, a slice of toast with peanut butter, or a hardboiled egg can give you a quick nutritious energy boost. Keeping your stomach satisfied helps your brain function more effectively and elevates your mood. Taking time to be mindful of every bite can even double as a meditative practice for some.

5. 10 Minutes: Meditate

Meditation is a proven way to transform your mood, and you don’t even need to sit still for hours to do it. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and focus on the present moment for just a few minutes. If you need help staying focused, or want to explore different meditation techniques, there are a variety of guided meditation apps that you might find helpful. If you can, try meditating outside for a refreshing breath of fresh air.

6. 20 Minutes: Talk To a Trusted Friend or Family Member

A brief phone call or video chat with a friend or family member can instantly lift your spirits and give you a new perspective on any issues you are grappling with. No matter how busy you are, make it a point to reach out to those you care about periodically to talk things through. Surrounding yourself with positive people can have a measured impact on your own outlook on life.

7. 20 Minutes: Have a DIY Spa Day

Not everyone has the time or money for a professional massage, but self-massage techniques can be just as effective at alleviating stress and tension in your body. If a massage doesn’t appeal to you, take a hot epsom salt bath to relax your muscles and ease your mind into a blissful state of relaxation.

8. 30 Minutes: Get Creative

Writing, knitting, painting, singing and cooking your favorite meal are all cathartic activities that break up the monotony of your daily routine. Whether you want to try a new artistic endeavor or make time for your favorite creative hobby, your mind will welcome the stimulation.

9. 30 Minutes: Escape into a Book or TV Show

Everyone needs a good escape every now and then. Watching an episode of your favorite TV show or diving into an enthralling novel can transport your mind far away from the thoughts that are gnawing away at you (though we do recommend mindfully and calmly confronting those issues at another time!). Consider watching or reading something funny — laughter is also a well-known self-care method.

10. 30 Minutes: Exercise

Even low-impact exercise can work wonders for the mind and body — what’s important is getting your body moving and your heart rate pumping. Biking, swimming, yoga, meditative walking — even jumping on a trampoline — counts as an effective form of exercise. These short spurts of physical activity will help focus the mind and burn off that extra energy that leaves you feeling antsy and restless.