Internal medicine physician, Dr. Monique Tello mentions that, sometimes, all you need in order to decrease your stress levels in minutes is some fresh air.
Tello shared via TODAY that “If somebody is feeling really stressed and they have the chance to change their environment, to get some fresh air, see nature — water, trees — they should. Exercise, take a brisk walk.”
According to studies, this technique is excellent for people who find it difficult to focus or those who feel rather restless.
- Get a meditation app
You can relax for the required 5 minutes by using one of the many meditation apps available.
Numerous guided meditation options are available on well-known apps such as Headspace and Insight Timer, which can assist you in coping with any negative emotion you may be experiencing, including stress.
According to research, meditation can lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression as well.
Try to establish a meditation routine when you are not feeling stressed, advises psychology professor Nick Allen.
He claims that the more preparation you do in advance, whether alone or with a pro, the better outcomes you’ll see when you are actually under pressure.
- Drink some tea
Put your devices aside and take the time to really enjoy a hot cup of tea, allowing yourself to just focus on the taste, aroma and hot temperature and letting it warm up and relax your body.
You may tune out negative thoughts with the aid of this mindfulness exercise and concentrate on the peaceful feeling that it brings you.
While you cannot necessarily move away from stress altogether, you may use a cup of tea to calm down for a while.
Not to mention that this can be a fantastic strategy to relieve stress even at work.
- Spend less time on your phone
Co-author of “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,” Kristine Carlson, mentions that checking your notifications constantly can be really overwhelming.
“We are so tied to our technology. Email, text message, checking your Instagram — all of that, it’s very addictive.”
That being said, her advice is to “really unplug from your phone or email” and take a so-called “golden pause.”
By turning off your alerts, you free up your mind so that you can pay attention to how you are truly feeling. Carlson advises practicing calm breathing, shutting your eyes, and directing your thoughts toward something for which you are thankful.
Katherine Baldwin
Katherine is just getting her start as a journalist. She attended a technical school while still in high school where she learned a variety of skills, from photography to nutrition. Her enthusiasm for both natural and human sciences is real so she particularly enjoys covering topics on medicine and the environment.
