May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If stress has you anxious and tense, spending just a few moments a day practicing a relaxation technique, may help restore your calm and inner peace.

There are a number of relaxation techniques available. You can do most on your own or with the help of a free or inexpensive smartphone app. Which one is best? No relaxation technique is perfect for everyone.  The right one is the one that works for you. Here are four you may want to try.

Deep Breathing. Also called belly, diaphragm, or abdominal breathing, this simple relaxation technique is the cornerstone of many other relaxation practices. Placing one hand on your chest and the other on your belly, breathe in slowly through your nose, watching your belly expand, hold your breath for a second or two, and then exhale slowly through your mouth.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation. This is a two-step process where you tense and then relax different muscle groups in the body. Start with your feet and work your way up to your face, tensing only those muscles you are focusing on.

Guided Imagery or Visualization. This involves imagining a scene in which you feel at peace. It could be a tropical beach, favorite childhood spot, or wooded glen. You can practice visualization on your own or with an app. If doing it on your own you may wish to use a listening aid, such as soothing music or the sound of ocean waves, for example, if you are visualizing a beach.

Mindfulness Meditation. The goal is to focus your attention on the present moment, and try to eliminate the many thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. It may involve focusing your attention on your breathing or a few repeated words. You can practice mindfulness with daily tasks like eating or brushing your teeth.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources