You probably hear a lot about how diet and lifestyle, like getting exercise and better sleep, can help relieve stress and anxiety. But you can’t exactly go for a run or take a power nap at a moment’s notice. When stress hits, sometimes you need to calm your nerves fast. Here are a few things that you can do to take the edge off in about five minutes.
Focused Breathing: Taking a moment to step back from what’s causing you stress and recalibrate is an important part of quick stress relief. Remove yourself from the situation, go somewhere quiet, and start to breathe. Put all of your focus on taking long, deep breaths and allow nothing to break your concentration. If it helps, look at your stomach as it expands and deflates with each inhalation and exhalation.
