Take a Short Walk
Exercise can be a great stress reliever because it helps you blow off steam and releases endorphins. Even if you have just 5 or 10 minutes, moving your body for a bit will help. If you have more time or can take your walk outside, even better. Walking with a good friend can be a nice way to find social support, and walking alone can provide you with some time to think, reframe, and come back to the situation with renewed optimism. You could also listen to music that soothes or energizes you (unless the noise wouldn’t help). Taking a walk can bring you the benefits of exercise—both short-term and long-term—and as a bonus, it gets you out of the stressful situation temporarily. This can provide you with some perspective so you can return in a new frame of mind.
Breathe Deeply
If you’re not in a position to leave where you are, practice some breathing exercises. Getting more oxygen into your body and releasing physical tension are two ways that breathing exercises can benefit you. And you can do them anytime or anywhere, even if your demanding situation isn’t letting up.
Visualize Relief
If you can steal away a few minutes of peace, visualizations and guided imagery are a wonderful way to restore peace of mind. They’re easy to do and can relax you mentally and physically. With practice, you can easily access your “happy place” and quickly feel calmer when stressed.
Reframe Your Situation
If you can look at your situation differently, you may be able to put it into a different perspective—one that causes you less stress. Mental and emotional stress can be caused by pessimism, type A traits, and other self-sabotage. A therapist can help you break negative patterns and change the way you look at things. It will come in handy when you’re stressed.
Relax Your Muscles
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique where you tense and release all of your muscle groups, leaving your body to feel more relaxed afterward. Just about anyone can do PMR, and with practice, you can fully release virtually all the tension you’re feeling in your body in a matter of seconds. This can help you feel calmer and better able to handle the situations in front of you.
Sniff Something Soothing
Aromatherapy is another easy tool that you can use quickly. A 2020 review in the International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences of five studies found that aromatherapy use, specifically lavender, was associated with decreased anxiety, depression, stress, and fatigue in patients with cardiovascular disease. Simply light a candle or diffuser, enjoy the aroma, and see if your stress levels go down.
Write It Down
If you have just a few minutes, you might benefit from journaling. A 2020 review published in Critical Care Nurse found that journal writing helps reduce psychological distress in families with critically ill loved ones. Write about what’s causing you stress and get your emotions out on the page.
Drink Some Water
In addition to thirsty, dehydration can make you feel tired and dizzy. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, try drinking a glass of water. Even better: Brew a stress-relieving cup of tea, which can help you step away from what’s making you stressed if only for a few moments.
Chew Gum
Research shows that chewing gum may help reduce stress. Keep a stash of your favorite flavor at the ready. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts
A Word From Verywell
If you’re able to calm down, you’ll be in a better position to address the stressful situations you’re experiencing. In addition to the nine quick strategies here, regular stress relievers such as hobbies, along with healthy lifestyle habits such as exercise, can help reduce your overall stress levels in the long term and help you deal with stressful situations in the future. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
