Relaxing: Pets

This one's a no-brainer.  Studies show that snuggling a pet lowers your blood pressure and relaxes you!

So, take some time in your busy day to do some hugging and kissing on your dog, cat, ferret, whatever.  If you have a bunch of reading to do, invite that critter over to sleep on your lap (or next to you if it's a big critter) while you read.  This will do wonders for you and your pet.

Pets also make very good listeners.  You can tell them all about your cruddy day and they'll sit and listen patiently.  When you are feeling lonely, they are there offering unconditional love.  When you need a study break, they'll always take the time out of their busy day of napping, sniffing and licking stuff to grab a ball or some string to play with you.  If you get an F on a test, they still think you are the smartest and greatest person in the whole world.  Life just doesn't get any better than this!

If you don't have a pet, go spend some time with a neighbors!