What is surprising is that few of us actually take measures to reduce that stress–and that’s because it can take a lot of time and effort. Getting on the treadmill? No, thank you! The good news is that you don’t have to stick to a strict exercise regimen to beat stress. With these 30 quick stress relieving activities, you can reduce your stress levels now. Choose one to start beating stress in under five minutes.
1. Snuggle, Kiss, or Hug Someone You Love
A strong support network is a great way to beat stress during a rough time. One study shows that social support is a hugely effective stress management mechanism with students learning to cope with stress.Another study showed that frequent hugs from a partner can lower blood pressure. Kick-start that support by cuddling up with someone you love. Knowing someone is there is often enough to help you manage your stress more effectively.
2. Take a bath with Epsom Salt
Taking a hot bath with Epsom salt is a quick and effective way to let your worries go. Why add Epsom salt to your bath? The salt increases the water’s specific gravity, making you feel more light-weight and buoyant while helping your muscles relax. Your body also absorbs the salts, which helps replenish magnesium stores, a mineral that is reduced with stress. Magnesium can help decrease irritability since it reduces the effect of adrenaline on the body.
3. Get Outside and Feel the Sun on Your Face
The sun acts as a powerful weapon against stress. That’s why in areas where people get little sun in the winter, much of the population experiences depressive symptoms. This is because sunlight affects the body’s level of serotonin, a feel-good neurotransmitter that helps maintain good mood. If you can, try coupling your outdoor session with some exercise, like walking or biking, to further boost your mood.
4. Dance
You probably already know that exercise can boost your mood. In fact, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin say that a single 40-minute exercise session can immediately boost mood. But what good is it if you hate the exercise? Get up and dance like nobody’s watching! You’ll get the stress relieving mood boost that comes with exercise while enjoying yourself.
5. Meditate
Meditation comes in many forms, but whichever you choose to go with, it will likely help reduce stress. Start in a comfortable position and focus on clearing your mind. If your mind begins wandering, find something to focus on, like your breathing, a mantra, or an object in front of you. Check out these other forms of meditation to figure out which one best fits your personality and schedule.
6. Pet an Animal
Human-animal interaction can have positive effects on humans. That’s why it’s common to see children with autism, elderly patients, or other disabled individuals with support pets–usually cats and dogs that help them emotionally. Spending time with your own pet can help relieve your stress, too. If you don’t have a furry friend, meet up with a friend who does or volunteer at an animal shelter, where you can play with and walk the cats and dogs.
7. Try Aromatherapy
Certain scents like lavender have been shown to reduce stress levels. Draw a bath and add a few drops of lavender oil into the tub, light a candle, or light some incense. Other easy ways to enjoy the effects of essential oils include using a diffuser, adding it to your lotion before applying it, or letting the oil evaporate off a nearby cotton ball.
8. Drink Soothing Tea–Like Chamomile
Herbal remedies like chamomile tea are great for relieving stress due to their calming properties. Chamomile tea promotes muscle relaxation, helping you unwind. Plus, it’s good for cramping, pain, and gas, so it can help relieve physical pain, too.
9. Get a Massage
Studies show that after just a five-minute touch massage, heart rate is decreased significantly, pointing to a reduction in the stress response. If you have the time and money, head to a nearby spa for a professional treatment. If not, ask a friend or family member to rub your back for a few minutes, or give yourself a self foot, face, and calf massage.
10. Enjoy a Yoga Session
Yoga is a method of meditation that helps relax the muscles and clear the mind. Not only can it provide a quick stress relief now, but ongoing yoga sessions can improve chronic low back pain, lower blood pressure, and improve overall health. It doesn’t have to take a huge time commitment–or even a lot of money–to start. Begin with the Yoga Zone videos on Hulu for free 30- to 60-minute sessions (although it shouldn’t take that long to start feeling the stress-relieving effects).
11. Listen to Relaxing Music
I don’t know about you, but I get frustrated quickly with slow-to-start yoga videos–and I’ve been known to sneak out of yoga sessions early because I find it more frustrating than relaxing. Instead, I turn on this 8 hours of relaxing music (don’t worry–you don’t have to listen to the whole thing) and do whatever stretches I feel my body needs while focusing on my breathing. Sometimes I just lie on the floor consciously relaxing every muscle in my body while listening to the music. Beware of starting a session if you have somewhere to go; you might fall asleep!
12. Eat a Piece of Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is a tasty treat that’s loaded with nutrients with stress relieving properties, helping to lower stress hormones. But be careful. Some “dark” chocolates aren’t as “dark” as you might think. Most run around 45 percent cocoa content, but you’ll want at least 70 percent cocoa content to get the most health benefits out of it.
13. Talk it Out
Stress can escalate by keeping it all in. Help your mind work through it by talking to a friend, praying, or even talking to yourself. This is a great way to sort out your stressors, come up with solutions, and put things in perspective. You’ll likely feel a weight lifted off your shoulders with a sense that everything will be alright.
14. Skip the Junk Food
It may seem like a simple solution to eat your feelings, but digging into the junk food isn’t going to help. Foods like alcohol, candy, and those high in sodium and fat are actually very bad for reducing stress. Instead, opt for a healthy diet high in whole foods, and when you have to indulge, indulge in a sweet fruity snack. Fish–with their omega-3 fatty acids–are also good for reducing the symptoms of stress.
15. Take a Break From Technology–Especially Your Smartphone
Media overload–be it television, radio, Internet, or social networking–is the sixth top cause of stress in the U.S. Given that your smartphone can deliver all of these–at once!–it’s probably best to stay away from it when you’re trying to reduce stress. Staying away from your smartphone for a while gives you time to focus on yourself, clear your mind, and work through your stress without distractions.
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