Stress affects us all and our body does not distinguish between good and bad stress, it just physiologically responds. Here are a few ways to quickly calm your body, mind and nerves.
Breathe Deeply
Take a few deep breaths. Breath in for four seconds and out on a count of six. Breathing exercises can help you relax, because they make your body feel like it does when you are already relaxed.
Visualize
Simply make yourself comfortable and then try to picture a peaceful scene: a future vacation, your favorite beach. You can even visualize yourself accomplishing a future goal or in an elevator, happily sandwiched between two hot actors of your choice.
Eat A Snack (Mindfully!)
Stress-eating doesn’t have to be bad. Pick a snack that will fill you up — say, half an avocado, a handful of nuts or a hard-boiled egg — because noathing is more stressful to the brain as running out of nourishment. Take your snack away from your computer and go sit someplace peaceful.
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Buy Yourself A Plant
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Houseplants aren’t just beautiful air purifiers — they can actually help you calm down. Researchers have found that simply being around plants can induce your relaxation response.
Step Away From The Screen
Uninterrupted computer use, as well as, late night computer use has been associated with stress, lost sleep and depression. Make sure to take frequent breaks during your day of computer use — and try to shut offline at least an hour before bedtime.
Pucker Up
Kissing relieves stress by helping your brain to release endorphins.
Try This a Hand Trick
Apply pressure to the space between your second and third knuckle (the joints at the base of your pointer and middle fingers) can help to create a sense of instant calm, according to Sharon Melnick, author of Success Under Stress.
Hang Up, Then Turn Off Your Phone
Cell phones stress you out, there’s no question about that. Talking can even raise your blood pressure.
Put on some music.
While classical music has a particularly soothing effect — it slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure and even decreases levels of stress hormones — any music that you love will flood your brain with feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine.
Treat Yourself to ONE piece of candy
Eating or drinking something sweet is soothing because it stems the production of the stress hormone, glucocorticoid.
Chew A Piece Of Gum
Chewing gum doesn’t just make your breath better — it can relieve anxiety, improve alertness and reduce stress during episodes of multitasking.
Watch A Funny Viral Video
A good laugh is a fine relaxation technique. “Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain,” explains the Mayo Clinic.
Tighten And Relax Your Muscles
Start with your toes and work your way up: tighten your foot muscles as much as you can, then relax them. Make your way up, tightening and relaxing each muscle until you’ve finished with your face. It may seem silly, but this practice can help reduce anxiety and stress and is often recommended to patients who suffer from depression and anxiety disorders.
See Your BFF
Friends aren’t just fun — your very closest ones can actually reduce your stress levels.
Eat A Banana (Or A Potato!)
Potassium helps to regulate blood pressure, which rises during times of stress. Some people find that eating a banana when they’re feeling stressed can help improve energy and recovery. And research shows that it can protect your body from the negative effects of stress, like increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Work On A/Your Craft
Repetitive motions — like the fine motor skills used to knit, make jewelry or cross-stitch — can soothe anxiety, according to avid knitter and pediatrician, Perri Klass, M.D.
Smile
Believe it or not just by smiling we trick our brain into thinking we are not stressed. Try it!
