I’m off on a little getaway for a day or so.
I'll have a few fun pics to share
when I get back.
In the meantime,
I wanted to share something
I recently discovered...
in 5 minutes or less…
1. Sip Green Tea
Instead of turning purple with rage, get green with a cup of herbal tea. Green tea is a source of L-Theanine, a chemical that helps
relieve anger. Boil the water, pour it out, and take a soothing sip.
2. Nosh on Chocolate
Just a square (about 1.4 ounces) of the sweet
stuff can calm your nerves. Dark
chocolate regulates levels of the stress
hormone cortisol and stabilizes
metabolism.
3. Eat Some Honey
Replace stress with sweetness and try a spoonful of honey. Besides being a natural skin moisturizer and antibiotic,
honey also provides compounds that reduce
inflammation in the brain,
meaning it fights depression and anxiety.
4. Bite into a Mango
Take a tropical vacation without leaving the desk chair. Use a five-minute
break to peel, slice, and bite into a juicy
mango, which packs a compound called linalool that helps lower stress levels. Don’t
fret about the juice dripping down your chin—the stress relief is worth the
mess.
5. Chew Gum
Minty, fruity, or bubble-gum flavor, a stick of gum is a surprisingly quick and
easy way to beat stress. Just a few minutes of chewing can actually reduce anxiety and lower cortisol levels.
6. Munch a Crunchy Snack
Sometimes there’s nothing more satisfying than munching away on a candy bar when we’re stressed—one study found
stressed adults craved crunchy and salty snacks more than usual. But that salty
crunch doesn’t have to be so sugary—a handful of trail mix or a bag of celery
sticks will work just as well.
7. Meditate
No need to go on a retreat to the mountains—five minutes of peace is all it
takes to reap the benefits of meditation. There’s evidence that just two quick bouts of silent
meditation per day can relieve stress and depression. Find a comfortable spot
in a quiet place, concentrate on your breath, and feel those anxieties start to
disappear.
8. Lay Your Head on a
Cushion or Pillow
There are days when all we really need is a nice, long nap. But it’s not always
possible to start snoring in the middle of the office. If you’ve got a pillow,
you’re already on the road to relaxation. Try this visualization technique: Lay your head down for a few minutes and imagine the
pillow is a sponge sucking up all your worries.
9. Remember to Breathe
Is there any simpler way to relax? Slow,
deep breaths can help lower blood
pressure and heart rate. For the fancy noses out there, try pranayama breathing, a yogic method
that involves breathing through one nostril at a time to relieve anxiety. The
technique’s supposed to work the same way as acupuncture, balancing the mind
and body (and possibly eliminating the need for a tissue).
10. Try Progressive
Relaxation
Anxious? Just squeeze, release, and repeat. Progressive
relaxation involves tensing the
muscles in one body part at a time to achieve a state of calm. The method (also
used by actors) is a great way to help fall asleep.
11. Count Backward
Nope, it’s not an IQ test, but it
is a way to relax. When worries are running rampant, try slowly counting to 10 and then back again to calm down. It’s
harder to freak about an upcoming date or job interview when you’re busy
remembering what number comes before seven. (Hey, kindergarten was a long time
ago.)
12. Use Creative
Visualization
The doorbell rings. It’s Ryan Gosling (or Elizabeth Banks), and he/she wants to
know if you’ll marry him/her. “Yes!” you shout and then—sorry, time’s up. These
little daydreams, also known as “creative visualization,” involve thinking of
something that makes us feel happy.
It’s an instant mood boost on hectic days when we’re feeling tense.
13. Close Your Eyes
James Taylor said it: You can
close your eyes, it’s all right. Take a quick break from a busy office or a
chaotic household by just lowering your eyelids. It’s an easy way to regain calm and focus.
14. Give Yourself a Hand
Massage
When there’s no professional masseuse in sight, massage your own hand massage for instant
relaxation that calms a pounding heart. Massages can be especially helpful for people
who spend a lot of time typing on a keyboard. Hands in general can carry a lot
of tension. Apply some luxurious lotion and start kneading the base of the
muscle under the thumb to relieve stress in the shoulders, neck, and scalp.
15. Try Acupressure
Pressure to meet a deadline can be stressful, but acupressure can help release all that tension.
Acupressure’s a kind of touch therapy that works by balancing the circulation
of fluids and energies in the body. Use the thumb and forefinger to massage the soft area between the thumb and index finger of
the other hand. Dab on some lavender oil for extra relaxation.
16. Rub Your Feet over a
Golf Ball
Leave the clubs at home and just bring the ball. You can get an impromptu
relaxing foot massage by rubbing your feet back and forth
over a golf ball.
17. Squeeze a Stress Ball
On days when you want to strangle a coworker, your BFF, or the driver in the
next lane, squeeze a stress ball instead. It’s an easy, portable, and
non-violent way to relieve tension.
18. Drip Cold Water on your
Wrists
Pass on the perfume and go with water. When stress hits, head for the bathroom
and drop some cold water on your wrists and behind your
earlobes. There are major arteries right underneath the skin, so cooling these
areas can help calm the whole body.
19. Brush your Hair
Really, it looks like a rat’s nest. Even if you’ve already done your 100
strokes for the day, repetitive motions such as running a brush through your hair, washing dishes, or
knitting can cause the body to relax.
20. Be Alone
Not everyone needs a cabin the woods, but five minutes of alone time can help you collect your thoughts and clear your head.
21. Create a Zen Zone
Hiding in a bathroom stall might not sound calming, but do make (or find) a space that’s completely free of stress where
you can go to relax. Set up a comfortable chair or light some incense and
disappear there for a few minutes until the tension dissipates.
22. Find the Sun
Here comes the sun—and some stress relief. If it’s a sunny day, head outside for an easy way to lift your spirits. Bright light can be
an effective treatment for people who suffer from depression, and can even
cheer up otherwise healthy folks.
23. Look Out the Window
No spying on the neighbors allowed. When things get hectic, take a five-minute
break to do nothing but stare out the window. Looking at nature scenes like
trees and public parks can be a lot more
relaxing than staring at the TV
screen.
24. Get Organized
A stack of papers, three tape dispensers, a bunch of misshapen paperclips: All
this clutter could be contributing to stress. Take a few minutes to reorganize your desk (or table, or wherever you are),
leaving just what you need on top.
25. Do Some Yoga
Put your feet up—against the wall, of course. The Vipariti Kirani yoga pose involves lying on the floor
and resting the legs up against a wall. Not only does it give the body a good
stretch, but it helps create peace of mind, too.
26. Stretch
Standing up for a quick stretch can relieve muscle tension and help us relax
during a stressful workday. Why not try a shoulder roll-out or a chest-opening
stretch right from the desk chair?
27. Run in Place
We may not be able to run away from stress, but it’s worth practicing. Try running in place for a few minutes to get those
endorphins flowing. Even brief physical
activity can help beat stress.
28. Take a Quick Walk
“Now walk it out, now walk [stress] out.” When you’re feeling overwhelmed or
having trouble concentrating, go for a quick
stroll around the block. You’ll
get the benefits of alone time, physical activity, and a few minutes to gather
your thoughts!
29. Write It Down
“Dear Diary: Today I feel STRESSED.” Just putting our emotions on paper can make them seem less intimidating.
Try journaling before a big exam and it just might improve your score.
30. Listen to Your
Favorite Song
Beyonce, Blondie, or Bowie, sometimes belting out the lyrics to a favorite tune
makes everything seem all right. If you’re in a public place (that isn’t the
opera), just listening to music can be a quick fix for a bad mood.
Classical music can be especially relaxing right before bedtime.
31. Dance
To the music! Research suggests people feel less anxious after a few months of
modern dance, but if that’s not your style, five minutes of the funky chicken
probably works, too. (At the very least, dancing’s a great form of cardio!)
32. Do a Crossword Puzzle
Number 10 across: Anxious, overwhelmed, or freaking out (seven letters). If you
guessed “Stressed,” you’re in good shape to try some crossword puzzles. Brain
games that require lots of concentration can help take our mind off whatever’s
worrying us.
33. Smell Some Flowers
Really, stop and smell ’em. Certain
odors can change our mood, and it’s hard to feel
angry or upset with a nose full of roses .
Keep a fresh jar of your favorite flowers near your workspace or in the living
room, and take a whiff whenever anxiety strikes.
34. Try Aromatherapy
It takes just a minute to drip some lavender, tea tree, or another essential
oil into your palm and inhale. The soothing scents may help send stress and anxiety
packing by stimulating smell receptors in the nose that connect to the part of
the brain that regulates emotions.
35. Sniff Citrus
Orange you glad you’re not stressed? The smell
of citrus can help us relax by increasing levels of the
stress-related hormone
norepinephrine.
36. Nose Full of Coffee
Wake up and smell the latte. Just the odor of coffee can help reduce stress
hormones—no sipping required. (Just be sure not to burn the tip of your nose.)
37. Cuddle with a Pet
A boyfriend or girlfriend is okay, but they’re (usually) not furry enough. After
a rough day, snuggle up with a
pet for an instant slobbery
smile, since pets can boost self-esteem and even ease the sting of social
rejection.
38. Laugh
Stressed? Me? Ha! Laughter’s one of the sillier ways to beat stress, but
there’s science behind it . A fit of hysterics can increase blood flow and boost immunity. Keep a book of
jokes handy in the desk drawer or check out a hilarious YouTube video (maybe a piano-playing pug?) for a quick
pick-me-up.
39. Talk to a Friend
When something’s really bothering you, it can help to share your feelings with
a pal. In fact, more talkative
folks tend to be happier in
general . So vent to a coworker
or call a close family member and spill.
40. Start Planning a
Vacation
Crashing waves, warm sand, a gentle breeze ruffling your hair. Well, at least
the image is nice. Take a break from work and start browsing the web for some
future vacation spots. Sometimes the whole fun
of a trip is in the planning,
anyway.
I have these printed out
and pinned to my bulletin board
for a constant friendly
reminder.
ciao! fabiana
photo via the venetian
info via greatest