Me time: Taking a few minutes for yourself makes you happier, more productive

Feeling on edge? It's important to take small breaks throughout the day, even on your busiest and most stressful workdays. You'll likely return refreshed and ready to take on the next challenge.

"If you step back and relax, you get a different perspective and a different view," says Dr. Dora Weaver, assistant professor of psychology at Southeast Missouri State University. "What you thought was a catastrophe is not really a catastrophe."

Here are some ways to squeeze a little "me time" into your day:

1. Let's just get this out of the way: If you're going to take a break, it should be a real break -- no eating lunch at your desk while you catch up on emails or read something that's work-related.

"Just really taking a break is a big one," says Evelyn Martin, regional director and licensed professional counselor at Lutheran Family and Children's Services in Cape Girardeau. "It's more helpful in the long run. You're more productive and easier to be around. Putting the time in to plan ahead, and then take a quick break, is just going to make you more healthy and more productive. It makes you better at what you're doing."

2. Lean on your co-workers. "It helps with stress to know that you have somebody to go talk to when you're stressed or struggling with a work project," says Martin.

3. Learning to meditate can help you control your thoughts, stop worrying and relax, says Weaver.

"There are several ways to meditate. Some prefer to meditate to music, while some prefer to meditate in silence," she says. "When you meditate, you become mindful of your breathing. You become aware of your breaths in and out."

Try this: Close your eyes, take a deep breath in, hold it, and then exhale slowly. Do this until your breathing becomes regular, says Weaver. Or, you could try the tapping method, she says: Lightly tap the top of your head, your forehead, nose and collarbone, repeating a positive affirmation to yourself each time, such as, "I may have done something wrong today, but I still like myself." Weaver also recommends searching "how to meditate" on YouTube, where you'll find tons of instructional videos.

4. Let yourself laugh. Read a funny book or talk to a friend during your lunch hour. Don't become so serious that you can't enjoy the humor in everyday life.

"Have a sense of humor. If you can think of something funny, that's a good way to relax," says Weaver. Studies have even shown that laughter boosts white blood cells, and therefore the immune system, she adds.

5. Take a beauty break. If you have an hour for lunch, you have time for at least a 30-minute massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. If you don't have that much time (or cash), treat yourself to a new lipstick or a luxurious hand cream to keep at your desk.

6. Go for a walk. Fresh air is a welcome break from the stuffy office, and sunshine is a great source of mood-boosting vitamin D.

"Walking definitely reduces stress, and if you're struggling with a problem, sometimes you'll figure it out when you take break or take a walk," says Martin. "It helps you get a different perspective on the problem."

7. Stretch or do some yoga. At LFCS, staffers like to meet in the board room for "office yoga," with moves designed for use at a desk. Search Google or YouTube for ideas.

"It really is amazing how doing that for 20 minutes starts you off on the right foot at the beginning of the day," says Martin. "If you're having a stressful day, taking a break to do deep breaths and yoga poses makes a difference."

8. Do a crossword puzzle, play sudoku, write in a journal -- even color a picture or play with Play-Doh. Doesn't it feel good to study something other than your computer screen?

9. Go out for a fancy espresso drink or a smoothie.

10. Take good care of yourself. It might sound obvious, says Martin, but you need to take the time to eat healthy, take regular meals and sleep at night. When your mind and body are taken care of, you'll feel less stress and be in a better position to tackle your to-do list.

11. If you're religious, why not add some God-time to your workday? Many people find peace from prayer and talking to God, says Weaver. At LFCS, staffers often start meetings with a short prayer or devotional. You can find all kinds of short, fun Bible studies and devotionals written for busy women and moms on the go.

12. "Staying organized helps to reduce stress," says Martin. Take a few minutes at the beginning of each day to figure out what you need to accomplish. Martin likes to use smartphone apps to stay organized.

"Making lists is such a big stress-reliever," she says. "You've got all these things bouncing around in your head, and it helps so much to write them down and get them down on paper."

An even better feeling is to cross the item off the list when you're done!