5-Minutes Fixes to Reduce Your Stress Levels

Stress has become a worldwide epidemic. From fear of the current political climate to worries about money and work, there are a number of reasons why people are feeling stressed and anxious today. However, rather than giving into these feelings, it’s time to take control.

To learn how, check out these 5-minute fixes for reducing stress levels fast.

If you need a quick de-stressor, get up and take a walk. Whether that’s around the block or around the office, research reveals that walking can be just as effective as taking medicine. According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America , “A brisk walk or other simple activity can deliver several hours of relief, similar to taking an aspirin for a headache.”

If you need to relax, try listening to nature sounds or white noise, however, you can also blow off some steam by jamming out to your favorite band.

If you’re feeling stressed, grab a pen and paper and start writing. Writing down the things you are grateful for or happy memories of the past are two great writing exercising for reducing stress.

The minute you feel stress coming on, it’s time start inhaling and exhaling. Previous research has found that breathing has a direct relationship with emotions. That’s because deep breathing releases more oxygen to the brain, which lowers levels of a stress hormone called cortisol.

Stanford University psychologist Emma Seppala tells Reader’s Digest : “ Breathing can change how we feel because emotions and breathing are closely connected… A revealing research study showed that different emotional states are associated with distinct respiration patterns.”

Repeating an uplifting mantra is one simple way to get rid of your stress. A published in Brain and Behavior shows that silently repeating a single word to yourself quiets the system responsible for your mind wandering, thinking about your past, or planning your future.

Thanks to today’s technology, reducing stress has never been easier. In fact, reducing stress levels is only a Google search away.

Originally published at https://www.calendar.com on June 3, 2019.