Share

15 super-simple ways to relieve stress asap

accreditation
Simple tricks to help you start feeling calmer
Simple tricks to help you start feeling calmer
iStock

Chronic stress isn’t kind to your body. It can leave you feeling exhausted, cause breakouts and even make your hair fall out.

But who among us doesn’t have stress? Ladies, I’m talking to you, especially.

“Studies continue to show that women bear more of the stress of day to day life than men,” says Dr. Maureen Sayres Van Niel, president of the American psychiatric association’s women’s caucus.

Why? “Because they continue to shoulder most of the responsibility for nurturing, whether it be of children or elderly relatives, and they continue to have most of the responsibility for caring for the home as well,” she adds.

Think about it: when your daily routine is to wake up, get yourself (and possibly several other people) ready, go to work, and then go home and cook, clean, and do it all again the next day, you can easily get stressed.

That’s why it’s super important to deal with your stress in the short-term (a.k.a., doing something to relieve it right now) in addition to long-term solutions, like therapy.

While it’s going to be most beneficial to work on the underlying reasons you feel stressed, there are some things you can do to relieve stress as soon as possible. Try one (or all!) of these tricks to start feeling calmer, instantly.

1. Try this “4-7-8” breathing exercise

Deep breathing is a quick and easy way to deal with in-the-moment stress, says Dr. Van Niel—and it can even “change the chemistry of your body and mind.”

There are literally tons of breathing techniques to choose from, but her go-to is the “4-7-8″ method: “before you begin, let all the air out of your lungs and then take a breath, inhaling for the count of four,” she says.

“It’s best to count ‘one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two,’ to get the full effect.”

Once you’ve inhaled, sit still and hold your breath for a count of seven, she says, then, slowly exhale to a count of eight. Do the exercise four times.

READ MORE: How to destress and still get stuff done

2. Snuggle your face in your dog’s fur

Or say a simple prayer to yourself, or immediately lace up your shoes for a quick walk or run.

The point: do something that makes you feel relaxed, says Dr. Van Niel.

It’s also important to remember that everyone is different, so what counts as a relaxing activity for you, might not feel quite so relaxing for someone else.

“For some, this is a quick workout, but for others it’s a meditation session,” says Dr. Van Niel, adding that reading a favourite book might also be an option.

Figure out what works to relax you, and have it in your back pocket for particularly stressful days.

3. Use your vacation time already

You know those weeks or days you get off from work? Use them.

Whether you’re going on an exotic vacation or just staying at home, getting away from your typical routine can reboot your energy and put your life stressors into perspective, says Dr. Van Niel.

4. Stop chopping your own veggies at home

Women often have unrealistically high expectations of themselves to do everything perfectly, says Dr. Van Niel.

Translation? It’s okay to give yourself a break and take shortcuts when you can—even with something as simple as chopping your own veggies.

Go ahead and buy your veggies already chopped (Seriously—it saves so much time).

Or do something similarly time-saving, like throwing your hair up into a ponytail instead of your normal blow dry-then-straighten routine.

Use this as a reminder that you don’t need to be perfect all the time.

5. Watch “the office” tonight instead of the news

Sure, it’s good to keep up with current events, but there’s no question that the news can be stressful.

If you find that watching the news is stressing you out, go ahead and take a break from it (that’s actual advice from the centers for disease control and prevention).

Use that time to catch up on your fave guilty-pleasure shows (or, you know, re-watch “parks and recreation” for the thousandth time).

6. Exercise for at least 20 minutes every day

Exercise is an amazing stress-reliever. It can lower your blood pressure, improve your sleep, and give you more energy, according to the American heart association.

But you don’t need to go all-out in high-intensity training every day to get the benefits: “even a 20-minute walk, run, swim or dance session in the midst of a stressful time can give an immediate effect that can last for several hours,” says the American psychological association (APA).

So hit the gym for 30 minutes to work off your stress, or try a new fitness class: might I suggest something extra cathartic, like boxing?

7. Go to a comedy club—and don’t hold back the laughter

Think back to the last time you laughed—and I mean laughed (not just said “lol”). You probably felt way less stressed in that moment, right?

There’s a reason: “people often hold a lot of their stress in their face, and laughs or smiles can help relieve some of that tension,” according to the APA.

If you’re feeling extra on-edge, call up a friend and invite them to a comedy show (or to see a funny movie, or to grab some drinks and chat).

8. Learn how to knit

Or sew, or paint—literally any craft that interests you. The process of creating something can be therapeutic—especially repetitive tasks like knitting, crochet, or cross-stitching.

In one 2016 study in the journal art therapy, researchers found that creating art for 45 minutes noticeably lowered the cortisol (a stress hormone) levels in the saliva of 39 people.

While it may be frustrating before you get used to your new craft—whether it’s pottery, candle-making, jewellery-making, or anything else—making something will help with stress in the long run. 

READ MORE: 4 Ways to stop feeling stressed — in 30 seconds or less

9. Turn on some Ariana Grande

Many people use music as a means of dealing with emotions—they listen when they’re sad, when they’re angry, or when they want to get energised—so it makes sense to use music as a way to chill out.

While some will claim that certain types of music (songs with slow, relaxing tempos, for example) are better than others for stress-relief, it’s most important that you’re specifically listening to music in order to relax, according to a 2015 study from the journal psychoneuroendocrinology.

Think about it: if you’re turning on the radio because you want to chill out, you’re likely paying more attention and really trying to de-stress. 

10. Get in downward dog position

Thanks to its combination of physical exercise, stretching, meditation, and deep breathing, yoga is incredible for stress relief, says the American psychological association.

Try to make room for a yoga class or two in your week and take the time to really let go of obligations and negative thoughts.

11. Stop thinking all those negative thoughts

I know—easier said than done, but it really can help with your stress levels, according to the AHA.

Instead, practice some positive self-talk. That means, instead of saying “I can’t do this,” say something like, “I will do the best I possibly can.”

12. Snag 15 minutes to yourself every single day

When you’re dealing with coworkers, friends, a partner, and kids all day, every day, it can be helpful for your stress to just take a few minutes to yourself each day.

Set aside 15 to 20 minutes of me-time every day, the AHA suggests, and do whatever you want.

You can simply sit in your car and breathe deeply or listen to music before you go inside for the night or spend that time on your porch with a cup of coffee in the morning—anything that helps you relax.

13. Help others

Whether you join a soup kitchen, a youth centre, or an animal shelter, doing some community service can certainly help your stress levels.

“Helping people who are often in situations worse than yours will help you put your problems into perspective,” according to the National health services in the UK.

“The more you give, the more resilient and happy you feel.”

14. Go ahead and leave the party, if you want to

Some people thrive in social situations like family gatherings and parties with friends. Others…not so much.

If you fall in the latter group, one easy way to relieve stress fast is to get out of that uncomfortable situation (and don’t beat yourself up for it later).

It’s okay to prefer small, intimate gatherings with friends, says Dr. Van Niel. And hanging out at a party is not worth stressing yourself out all night.

READ MORE: What is stress-induced fat — and the telltale sign I have it?

15. Take a bath—but not a bubble bath

Self-care advocates constantly talk up the relaxation benefits of a hot bubble bath, but science tells us that floating in a pool of water can be great for stress relief, as well.

floatation-rest (reduced environmental stimulation therapy) is a specific type of water therapy that involves floating on your back in a pool of water saturated with epsom salt.

In one 2018 study in the journal PLos one, researchers found that floating in an epsom salt pool for one hour reduced anxiety in people with anxiety and stress disorders.

Feel free to search out a spa near you that has one of these epsom salt pools, or go ahead and relax in a tub filled DIY-style with water and epsom salts.

This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE