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It’s all well and good to recommend meditation or long walks to relieve stress. Those lifestyle changes, along with getting enough sleep and spending less time on social media, can have a powerful impact over time.
But what if you need to chill right now? Here are 6 tips to help reduce stress immediately.
Not all breathing is created equal. A series of slow, deep, mindful breaths can help lower your heart rate and re-center yourself in the present moment.
Breathe in through the nose, hold for a moment, and then exhale through the mouth. It can help to visualize your stress as a red or black cloud leaving your body as you exhale.
Many of us hold tension in our shoulders–especially if we work on a computer all day. Keeping those muscles tightly clenched can become such a habit that we don’t even realize it’s happening.
Throughout the workday, it’s a good idea to stop and relax the muscles in your shoulders, neck, and jaw.
You might not feel like laughing right now, but it can actually trick your body into feeling happier. Try a fake laugh right now–or a big smile, if you’re in a place where random laughter might seem a bit strange. The muscle feedback will make you feel happier and less stress.
Yoga doesn’t necessarily mean taking an hour-long class at the gym. You can do a few stress-relieving poses just about anywhere. Best of all, this type of exercise can be adapted for people of all different levels of mobility.
If yoga is a little too intimidating for you right now, at least get up and stretch. Rolling your shoulders and neck is a good start.
Okay, it doesn’t have to be a banana. You could also have a snack with avocado, melon, sweet potato, spinach, or beans. The idea is to eat something that contains a lot of potassium.
This mineral can help lower blood pressure. Is it a magic bullet? No–but many of us don’t get enough vitamins and minerals in our diets, so a healthy snack can help balance those levels.
Visualization is a powerful mental tool. It can help you stay motivated–and it can reduce stress, too. Take some time when you’re not feeling anxious to imagine your “happy place.”
Mine is the mountains of Vermont on a clear autumn day. Try to imagine as many details as you can, and don’t limit yourself to just sight. The more realistic the visualization, the more effective it will be. When you feel stressed out, close your eyes and visit that place for a minute or two.
