How to Relieve Stress in Minutes!

Rebecca Lewis January 29, 2015

We all get stressed from time to time. And once we get hooked to it, it often takes plenty of time before it goes away. And we get even more stressed.

But the good news is that getting overwhelmed by stress is something that is within our control. Yes, we have the power to keep it from affecting our life, health and well-being. And the most awesome thing? We can get rid of it in a matter of minutes!

Here are a few steps to try:

Give someone a hug.

Hugging someone causes your body to release oxytocin (also called the “love hormone”), which promotes pro-social behaviours, like compassion, trust and relaxation. If you feel it awkward to hug your colleagues at work, save it for your friends and family, even for your pets!

Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique.

Meditation is a great way to counter stress. But few people have enough time to practice a full meditation session. But don’t worry. There’s a better solution. Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique. Breathe in for a count of four, hold it for a count of 7, and then exhale for the count of 8. Repeat these steps for five minutes. You will be amazed of the result.

Smile.

Emotions are contagious. When you smile, the world smiles back to you. Just the act of smiling can make you feel much better. Plus, it makes other people more likely to connect with you. Can’t find a reason to smile? There are thousands of two-minute funny video clips online. Go and watch a few!

Savour a positive thought.

When you are stressed, your mind starts to favour negative thoughts. Scientist call this phenomenon “negativity bias”. It is hard-wired on us, and helps us prepare for potential threats. But in this modern world, the usual causes of stress aren’t actually life-threatening. So we need not be absorbed by negative thinking. Savour something positive instead, like a fun event you look forward to, or reminisce the most endearing experience you had with your loved ones. Visualise it. You are sure to feel better.

Play with your pet.

Pets are really stress-relievers (although they can be nuisance sometimes). Petting animals has been found to boost the release of serotonin and dopamine – the neurotransmitters that have calming, mood-lifting properties.

Close Your Eyes

Close your eyes, and tell yourself it’s going to be alright. You can make a quick escape from your chaotic environment by just closing your eyes and taking a deep breath.

Give yourself a hand massage.

If no one’s there to massage you, you can always try a DIY massage. This therapy is really helpful especially for people who are always typing on a keyboard. Massage is a great way to ease a pounding heart and relax your tired body. Not sure how to do a DIY massage? Squeeze a stress ball instead.

Sip green tea.

Treat yourself with a refreshing cup of hot green tea. It is a source of L-Theanine – a chemical that helps relieve anger.

Do you have more tips to share? We’d like to hear your thoughts. Feel free to post a comment below.