5-Minute Stress Relief Programs that Work

                 

Image from IClipart

Life can keep you busy – so busy that you can often feel like you don't have enough time to breathe. With so many things clamouring for your attention, from spilled coffee to a lunch meeting, to grocery shopping and dinner prep, it's no wonder you feel more and more stressed.


Thankfully, there are things you can do to feel less pressured, and to move further from being on the brink of a breakdown. These things are like mini stress relief programs, which you can do in as little as 5 minutes. Here's a small sampling.

• Munch something. Studies have shown that stressed adults crave salty and crunchy snacks, so crunch away on some pretzel sticks, some celery, or a handful of trail mix. You can also bite into a square of dark chocolate. Just a little over an ounce of it can help regulate cortisol levels.

• Pour the tea. Not only is it good for digestion, but it has L-Theanine, a chemical that helps keep anger in check. It won't take long for the water to boil and the leaves to brew, so pour yourself a cup and take a sip. 

• Head for nature. Get out of the house or the office if it's a sunny day. People who suffer from depression had a bit more pep when exposed to bright light, like that from the sun. So there's no reason it won't also give you a much-needed lift.

Can't leave your desk? Just stare out the window at trees, shrubs, or a lawn – anything green.

• Put on some tunes. Put together a list of your favourite songs, and listen to them when you're feeling the pressure. Hearing melodies and lyrics that you love can help you feel better and bring you out of a bad mood. Dancing to your favourite beats can have the same effect. 

• Meditate. Try the Vipariti Kirani pose from yoga – with legs almost vertically against the wall and your torso on the floor. This gives you a good stretch, and your deep breathing is a form of meditation. 

Or sign up for a mindfulness based stress reduction program so you have a better idea how to perform mindful breathing. This kind of breathing means you're paying attention to something else rather than what's stressing you out.