15 ways to beat stress: Find your way to inner calm
From being swaddled, to watching fish swimming around
or looking at a painting, there’s no shortage of fun ways to find your
inner calm and let go of your stress.
1. GAZE AT A JACKSON POLLOCK
A study by the University of Oregon in the US found that staring at fractal imagery (repeated similar or identical patterns in art, nature or architecture) like those in Jackson Pollock’s work can take your mind off stress, and even reduce it by a not-too-shabby 60 per cent.
2. VISIT AN AQUARIUM
An annual family pass to your local aquarium can keep the kids happy and reduce your stress levels at the same time, according to researchers at Plymouth University and the University of Exeter in the UK.
They found that watching fish helps to reduce your heart rate and lower your blood pressure, making you feel calmer. But this isn’t the time to invest in a couple of goldfish for your home — the research suggests the more fish that are in your sights, the more positive your mood.
3. SWEET-TALK YOUR PET
“Who’s a good boy? Who’s a sweet boooooy?”
Your feline friend or pooch might think you’re a little batty, but multiple studies show that speaking to your pet in a happy or upbeat tone actively reduces the physical signs of stress. Research by the University of South Carolina in the US found that such enthusiastic interaction can also reduce your heart rate and blood pressure.
4. PUT VEGEMITE ON YOUR TOAST
A Victoria University study revealed that those who regularly eat yeast-based spreads, such as Vegemite, have lower stress levels, mainly thanks to the vitamins B6, B9 and B12.
5. SNIFF YOUR PARTNER’S SHIRT
It sounds creepy but a Canadian study found that doing this reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Sniffing a stranger’s clothing has the opposite effect — no surprise!
6. CHEW GUM
As well as refreshing your breath, it lowers cortisol levels too.
7. PRESS PAWS
Whether it’s cats playing the piano or being scared of cucumbers, watching some kitty-related clips on YouTube can boost positive emotions and be beneficial for your health, according to Indiana University in the US.
8. GO BAREFOOT
Taking off your shoes and walking around on varied terrain (known as ‘earthing’) has been shown to reduce tension and overall stress levels. In a study in the journal European Biology and Bioelectromagnetics, researchers found that half the subjects showed positive changes in their pulse rate as soon as they were ‘earthed’.
9. CURSE LIKE KANYE
Lol... This got me laughing so loud.... Swearing like a truck driver has been shown to help reduce both stress and pain levels.
Researchers
at Keele University in the UK found that letting loose with a string of
expletives allows you to psychologically pump yourself up, and since
singing and music also help with stress reduction, what better time to
belt out a profanitylittered Kanye West hit?
10. DO THE FUNKY CHICKEN
Science shows that dancing lowers stress and anxiety levels.
11. BE SWADDLED LIKE A BABY
The trend of adult swaddling (yes, just like a baby) has become a hit in Japan, where devotees swear by the art of curling into a foetal position and being wrapped tightly to help with stress reduction.
Although we’re yet to see any studies to back up these claims, it does work to calm babies, so a trip to Spotlight might be in order.
12. SNIFF YOUR COFFEE
The aroma can lower stress hormones.
13. POP BUBBLE WRAP
There’s a reason why you can’t resist that pop, pop, pop — it’s proven to make you feel calmer. Just do it alone so the sound doesn’t drive everyone else crazy.
14. KISS WITH PASSION
Engaging in frequent passionate kissing for six weeks improves relationships and stress levels, according to a US study.
15. BLOW UP BALLOONS
Doing this forces you to take deep, controlled breaths, which turns on your parasympathetic
nervous system, slowing your heart rate and relaxing your muscles.
A study by the University of Oregon in the US found that staring at fractal imagery (repeated similar or identical patterns in art, nature or architecture) like those in Jackson Pollock’s work can take your mind off stress, and even reduce it by a not-too-shabby 60 per cent.
2. VISIT AN AQUARIUM
An annual family pass to your local aquarium can keep the kids happy and reduce your stress levels at the same time, according to researchers at Plymouth University and the University of Exeter in the UK.
They found that watching fish helps to reduce your heart rate and lower your blood pressure, making you feel calmer. But this isn’t the time to invest in a couple of goldfish for your home — the research suggests the more fish that are in your sights, the more positive your mood.
3. SWEET-TALK YOUR PET
“Who’s a good boy? Who’s a sweet boooooy?”
Your feline friend or pooch might think you’re a little batty, but multiple studies show that speaking to your pet in a happy or upbeat tone actively reduces the physical signs of stress. Research by the University of South Carolina in the US found that such enthusiastic interaction can also reduce your heart rate and blood pressure.
4. PUT VEGEMITE ON YOUR TOAST
A Victoria University study revealed that those who regularly eat yeast-based spreads, such as Vegemite, have lower stress levels, mainly thanks to the vitamins B6, B9 and B12.
5. SNIFF YOUR PARTNER’S SHIRT
It sounds creepy but a Canadian study found that doing this reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Sniffing a stranger’s clothing has the opposite effect — no surprise!
6. CHEW GUM
As well as refreshing your breath, it lowers cortisol levels too.
Whether it’s cats playing the piano or being scared of cucumbers, watching some kitty-related clips on YouTube can boost positive emotions and be beneficial for your health, according to Indiana University in the US.
8. GO BAREFOOT
Taking off your shoes and walking around on varied terrain (known as ‘earthing’) has been shown to reduce tension and overall stress levels. In a study in the journal European Biology and Bioelectromagnetics, researchers found that half the subjects showed positive changes in their pulse rate as soon as they were ‘earthed’.
9. CURSE LIKE KANYE
Lol... This got me laughing so loud.... Swearing like a truck driver has been shown to help reduce both stress and pain levels.
10. DO THE FUNKY CHICKEN
Science shows that dancing lowers stress and anxiety levels.
11. BE SWADDLED LIKE A BABY
The trend of adult swaddling (yes, just like a baby) has become a hit in Japan, where devotees swear by the art of curling into a foetal position and being wrapped tightly to help with stress reduction.
Although we’re yet to see any studies to back up these claims, it does work to calm babies, so a trip to Spotlight might be in order.
12. SNIFF YOUR COFFEE
The aroma can lower stress hormones.
13. POP BUBBLE WRAP
There’s a reason why you can’t resist that pop, pop, pop — it’s proven to make you feel calmer. Just do it alone so the sound doesn’t drive everyone else crazy.
14. KISS WITH PASSION
Engaging in frequent passionate kissing for six weeks improves relationships and stress levels, according to a US study.
15. BLOW UP BALLOONS
Doing this forces you to take deep, controlled breaths, which turns on your parasympathetic
nervous system, slowing your heart rate and relaxing your muscles.
Originally published as 15 weird and wonderful stress busters
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