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  1. Home
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  3. Letting Go of Stress
Deepen Your Practice

Letting Go of Stress

In his book, How to Relax, Thay describes concrete practices we can do to let go of stress that accumulates within us.

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by Thich Nhat Hanh on September 15, 2026

Stress accumulates in our body. The way we eat, drink, and live takes its toll on our well-being. Lying down and bringing gentle awareness to our breath, we can realize rest and recovery for our physical body. Find space in your day when you can practice mindful breathing and letting go of tensions.

In just five, ten, or twenty minutes, you can reestablish mindfulness and dissipate stress.

When you have trouble sleeping, follow your breathing in and breathing out. Bring your awareness to the different parts of your body in turn, and allow them to relax. Sometimes this can help you get to sleep. The practice is still very good even if you don't sleep, because it nourishes you and allows you to rest.

It’s very important that we re-learn the art of resting and relaxing. Not only does it help prevent the onset of many illnesses that develop through chronic tension and worrying; it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems.

Thich Nhat Hanh
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