15 Simple Ways to Relax in Just 15 Minutes

Because who has time for a whole day of R&R?

If you’re like most people, “de-stressing” has been on your to-do list for decades. After all, stress can affect your health — and is the most commonly reported headache trigger. But you don’t have to wait for life to settle down or a vacation to come around to unwind. A bevy of research shows that you may be able to slash stress in just minutes a day.

Here are 15 ways to relax in less than 15 minutes that may work for some people.

Listen to Music. Put your music library to good use. In one study, people who listened to relaxing music before performing a stressful task felt less anxiety and had lower blood pressure levels compared to those who completed the task without the tunes. ¹
Listen to Music.Bend your way to less stress. Take a few beginner classes and then you’ll be able to do stretches and poses on your own when you have a small chunk of time.
Listen to Music. Any exercise can reduce stress, but taking that workout outdoors might be especially helpful. One study found that outdoor walking increases energy and positive thinking while slashing tension, anger and depression even better than indoor walking does. ²
Listen to Music.Fake it ‘till you make it! Research shows that even a forced smile can decrease stress levels and slow a racing heart. ³
Listen to Music.Or anything with vitamin C, for that matter. In one German study, researchers put participants through the wringer, asking them to complete a series of stressful tasks. They found that those participants who had consumed vitamin C beforehand had lower blood pressure and cortisol levels than those who didn’t. ⁴
Listen to Music. Light a candle, massage some oils, it doesn’t matter. Aromatherapy may reduce stress levels. ⁵
Listen to Music.The presence of a pet can reduce heart rate and blood pressure due to stress. Consider it an excuse to visit your local dog park. ⁶
Listen to Music. A certain type of stress eating may not be so bad for some after all. Antioxidants in cacao may reduce blood pressure. ⁷
Listen to Music.Research in Physiology & Behavior shows that chewing gum can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol for some. ⁸
Listen to Music. The age-old trick really does work. Deep breathing, like chewing gum, helps lower the body’s levels of the stress hormone cortisol. ⁹
Listen to Music. Sometimes you just need a hug. One study found that when women hug their significant others, their blood pressure lowers and their levels of oxytocin, commonly called the “cuddle” hormone, increase. ¹⁰
Listen to Music. Go ahead, vent.Listen to Music.Having a friend around during a bad experience can help reduce cortisol spikes. Calling your mom can also help reduce stress for some. ¹¹
Listen to Music. Or do anything that gives you the giggles. Laughter may positively affect depression, insomnia and sleep quality. ¹²
Listen to Music. Research from (who else?) Swedish scientists shows that massage may reduce stress by quelling sympathetic nervous activity. Luckily, you don’t have to shell out a ton of time or money to get the benefits of massage. According to the study, it only takes five minutes. Ask a friend to give your shoulders a quick squeeze or invest in a foam roller for self-massage. ¹³
Listen to Music. Quiet your mind. In one study, full-time workers who performed two quick meditation sessions a day reduced their stress and upped their moods. ¹⁴Book end your day with calmness by meditating right after you wake up and just before going to bed.

Physiology & Behavior Physiology & Behavior Physiology & Behavior Physiology & Behavior Physiology & Behavior Physiology & Behavior Physiology & Behavior

References:

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