For many of us who are running our own business, working too hard with long hours, we look forward to plopping down on the couch and watching some TV to unwind and relax.

That may get your mind off your day, but it won't help reduce the damaging effects of stress. To effectively decrease stress and become more relaxed and clear-minded, we need to increase our energy or "qi" in Chinese medicine.

Going to the gym for long workouts burns calories but depletes your body of all its energy and requires you to rehydrate and reconstitute yourself. We want to focus on enhancing and building your energy reserves with simple lifestyle changes that you can do throughout the day to increase energy, productivity and overall health.

And the best part is that these methods can include your pet.

1. Sleep in

What lazy dog doesn't want to sleep? Many of us have problems going to sleep. Our minds are racing, the list of to-dos are longer than the hours of sleep ahead of us. By the time the morning rolls around and the alarm clock is going off, we are finally truly resting.

Give yourself a few extra minutes to sleep in and be rested. These extra minutes will add more to your daily reserve of energy than running around. Add an extra snuggle with your feline.

2. Stop to see beautiful things

Our eyes are important, not only to see but also for general health. Headaches can come from tired and stressed eyes. Anger and fatigue have a direct effect on what we feel in our eyes.

If they are burning or itchy, that is associated with anger, spring and allergies. Alternatively, if you can't keep your eyes open for long periods of time while reading, this is associated with fatigue, low energy and lack of deep rest.

Get up often during the day and turn off your computer, mobile device or TV. Close your eyes for a few minutes and open them. Take the next couple of minutes to look at a flowering plant, a tree or green grass. If your pet is around, go give him a pat or two.

If you don't have access to the outside, look at a houseplant or a picture of a beautiful flowering plant or your special Fido. Seeing something in nature that is beautiful to you simply counterbalances the harsh edges of the computer screen, anger and fatigue and will help the eyes to relax.

3. Get out and go for a walk

You got bad news or inherited a big problem or you received information that you need to process. Stop obsessing about how you are going to deal with it and go for a walk. Don't forget to take Fido with you.

A walk outside for five minutes or more will help clear your head and digest your feelings and calm you down. It is a simple action that will help your mind just let go, and Fido can join you for some fresh air and exercise.

4. Warm, warm and warmer

Our stomachs and digestion play a big role in how we feel. Do we feel sluggish or energized, bloated or cold? Do you experience heartburn or reflux? Try drinking warm or room-temperature drinks and water.

If you jump into a freezing lake, your body would stiffen upon impact of the cold water. That is exactly what happens internally when you throw a cold drink of about 40 degrees F into your 98.6 F stomach. Your entire digestive system stiffens and can't operate fully until it has heated the water up.

Save your digestion energy by feeding it warm drinks. Some simple ginger recipe if you are constipated. If you have diarrhea, drink hot water with fresh grated ginger and honey. Ginger is a great antacid and has a warming quality when eaten or drunk. Honey is sweet, warming and comforting.

Ginger Snaps are great remedy for adults and children that have had a stomach bug or nausea. Ginger can reduce motion sickness, morning sickness and nausea. It has an natural anti-viral property to it. Add ginger to your daily diet whenever possible and improve your digestion and immune system.

Ginger is good for your pets, too. They just might be a little more picky about eating it. You can put a couple of slices in their water bowl. You don't want to feed ginger to anyone (pet included) with a heart condition or bleeding disorders or who is lactating or pregnant.

5. Flash your pearly whites and smile

Smiling changes your mood, makes you look better, reduces wrinkles, relieves stress, lowers your blood pressure, increases your immune system, keeps you positive, and best of all is contagious. Just google the benefits of smiling — they are endless.

Smiling is a great way to make you stand out while helping your body to function better. And who doesn't make you smile more than your own pet?

As the famous Master Oogway said in "Kung Fu Panda": "Your mind is like water, when agitated it becomes difficult to see, but if you allow it to settle, the answers become clear." A powerful message that says if we spend time thinking about our stress, we end up more stressed because we stress about the stress.

If we simply make a few of these lifestyle changes, we will settle our thoughts, feel calmer and have more energy through relaxing and digesting better. Not only do you benefit and become healthier, but so does your family and your pets.