Get on your way to a more blissful day! We don't always have an extra hour to fit in a relaxing yoga class, nor are we all in the habit of meditating. Still, it's important to slow down, even if it means simply getting an extra hour of sleep or cutting yourself some slack. From enjoying your favorite tunes to chatting with a friend, de-stressing has never been easier.
Move! Regular daily exercise (such as walking for 20 minutes) can lower levels of stress hormones.
Take a Deep Belly Breath! "Abdominal breathing increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, triggering the brain to decrease the concentration of stress hormones," explains Bruce S. Rabin, MD, PhD, head of the Healthy Lifestyle Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Get Your ZZZ's! A good night's sleep helps your body block the surge of stress hormones.
Chat on the Phone with a Friend! It keeps your social bonds strong, which gives you an overall feeling of support and belonging. "People who feel like they have friends and family they can turn to generally feel less stressed when things get tough," says Sheldon Cohen, PhD, a psychology professor at Carnegie Mellon University.
Be Mindful! For one minute, pay attention to what's happening inside and around you, listening to your heartbeat or your breathing.
Pop On Those Headphones! Any music lover knows that listening to your favorite tunes can make you less tense almost immediately. Cut Yourself Some Slack! Head off your inner critic: Write down a negative thought, then challenge it by writing something positive next to it. List as many as you can (or want to). When you get down on yourself, pull out your list to remember— and reinforce—the positive. Say Thanks! "At the dinner table, my family and I ask each other, 'What new and good thing happened to you today?'" says Alice D. Domar, PhD, executive director of the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health in Boston and author of Be Happy Without Being Perfect. From Woman's Day.
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