Taking a deep breath has been shown to lower cortisol levels, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. Take a 5 minute break from your daily routine and devote it to just taking deep breaths and meditating over a specific mantra or scripture. In addition to being a stress reliever, there are numerous other health benefits as well.

2. Listen to Music.

While music is great to pump us up in preparation for a big game or exercising, it’s also a great way to calm us down. Research shows that listening to soothing music can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety.

3. Laughter.

A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can:

• Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
• Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response and increases your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
• Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

4. Keep a Journal.

Writing down your feelings always helps to get it off your chest. It also helps you to identify your daily stressors and pinpoint what/why/who you are stressing about. It’s interesting to look back in your journals and see how you/your life has changed.

5. Exercise.

It doesn’t have to be running. Just get moving! Getting your blood moving releases endorphins and can improve your mood almost immediately.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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