What are good short-acting relaxant medicines like xanax (alprazolam) (alprozolam)?

Many ways to 'relax': without taking medications. Meditation, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation exercises, physical exercise itself, and many books on the above topics can help. Medication is generally a short-term solution, but in people with more serious anxiety disorders antidepressant medication like SSRIs are effective for anxiety as well as depression. Ativan&serax can also give temporary relief.