25 Ways to Relax in 5 Minutes or Less
Need a little more rest and relaxation in your life? This is the most comprehensive list of 25 tips for beating stress and relaxing in under just 5 minutes.
If you’re worried about your health or trying to improve your health in any way, then you should be thinking about stress. It’s a normal part of life, but when prolonged, it can interfere with your health and wellness on every level, from physical to mental and emotional. In fact, stress can even lead to weight gain and interfere your energy output at the gym.
So it’s important to get stress under control, and it can be done with some very simple strategies. Today I’m reviewing 25 easy ways to overcome stress. Some involve food and diet, while others are all about getting active and moving your body. Either way you approach it, relaxation is possible!
Ready to feel more relaxed?
25 Strategies to Beat Stress in Under 5 Minutes
1. Sip on Some Tea
Herbal teas, especially green tea, are a great source of stress relief. Not only do they offer a sense of calm, many also contain ingredients that actually relieve anxiety and anger. On a physical level, tea is also really soothing, so it’s a great way to relax on every level.
If you want to start your day off with a sense of calm and relaxation, try replacing your morning coffee with Green Foods Matcha Green Tea. It still packs some serious caffeine, but it won’t give you the jitters – and will actually help you deal with stress!
2. Enjoy Some Dark Chocolate
You’re in luck, because dark chocolate actually helps to regulate cortisol, the stress hormone that causes wear and tear on your body over time. Don’t overdo it – just a square of dark chocolate is enough to help you relax.
3. Meditate Every Day
The research is pretty clear on this one. Just a few minutes a day of complete silence and meditation is enough to help you deal with stress. There’s even evidence for a decrease in depression following meditation!
4. Breathe
This one’s closely related to meditation, but even if you don’t have time to meditate, take a few deep breaths. Deep breathing has been shown to have a physiological impact on your body, helping your relax. This strategy is especially useful when you’re at work or with colleagues.
5. Do Some Yoga
Incorporating mediation, breathing, and stretching, yoga is a great stress reliever. But how do you fit it into 5 minutes? Although I recommend trying a full yoga program, just the sun salutations or a simple downward dog and cobra can be enough to help you relax.
Check out this Gaiam Yoga for Beginners Kit to learn the basics, and use them when you need them!
6. Go for a Walk
A 5 minute walk really is enough to relieve stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and like you need to escape, do just that, and go for a quick walk. The fresh air is a big reason this works so well.
7. Listen to Some Music
Music is a great way to unwind, but we often reserve it for the ride home or the gym. Next time you’re feeling stressed in your daily activities, try putting in your ear buds and listen to one of your favorite songs.
8. Write Down Your Thoughts
Journaling is a great stress reliever, and it’s easy enough to do any time of the day. Stop, take a break from whatever you’re doing, and write down what you’re thinking – and what’s stressing you out. You may be surprised by how well this works!
9. Sniff Some Citrus
Believe it or not, just the smell of citrus has been shown to help people relax. It seems to have an impact on certain neurotransmitters involved in stress. Add some lemon juice to your tea or enjoy a glass of lemon water.
10. Roast Some Coffee
Another stress-fighting smell is roasted coffee or espresso beans. Waking up to the smell is a great way to fight stress, as it’s been shown to actually inhibit the stress hormone cortisol. And you don’t have to drink it!
11. Jump Rope
This one isn’t the easiest if you’re out in your day, but if you’re at home it’s a totally effective way to relax. Pick up a jump rope, and jump for just 5 minutes. Not only will you burn some calories, you’ll also clear your head and be able to unwind.
Need a good jump rope for your home arsenal? Check out this Harbinger Jump Rope.
12. Spend Some Time with Your Pet
There’s a ton of research showing the impact of animal contact on your ability to handle stress. Not only will you feel happier, a little cuddle time with a pet will also lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
13. Bring Nature Inside
There’s also research showing that the mere presence of wood and other natural elements in a room or space can help reduce a person’s physiological response to stress. Bring some natural elements inside, and take a few minutes with them to relax.
14. Chew Some Gum
Seriously, this one works – by lowering your cortisol levels and reducing stress after just a few minutes of chewing. It’s an easy one when you’re on the go.
15. Eat a Mango
Mango is definitely its own superfood, especially when it comes to beating stress. Mango fruit contains a natural compound called linalool that’s been shown to lower your body’s stress levels. Pack some in your lunch!
16. Lie Down
If you can lie down for just 5 minutes, I guarantee you’ll feel more relaxed and energized. If you’re at home or at a place that has a couch, this can be easy. If not, at least lay your head back and close your eyes for a few minutes.
17. Smile and Laugh
If you can take some time to laugh, or just force a smile on your face, you’ll actually feel a whole lot better. Try making it a habit, and you’ll better deal with stress before it even hits.
18. Do a Crossword Puzzle
Simple mental tasks and activities are a great way to distract yourself from your current worries and stresses. Take a few minutes to think about something other than your problems, and you’ll feel a little more clear headed as a result.
19. Enjoy a Rejuvenating Smoothie
When done with the right ingredients, smoothies can be an amazing source of relaxation, especially when they’re packed with stress-fighting superfoods like honey and spinach. In fact, honey alone has been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
Try my Ultimate Superfood Smoothie here and totally power up.
20. Give Yourself a Hand Massage
This one really works, and it’s easy to do anywhere. The pressure is a great way to relax instantly, since your hands tend to carry a lot of tension. It’s also great for jobs that require a lot of typing or are labor intensive.
21. Escape for 5 Minutes
Sometimes the stress piles on so much that escaping is the only option. But it’s okay, because some quite time can be really helpful in offering some serious relaxation. Cut out the noise, take a few deep breaths, and you’ll feel better in no time.
22. Close Your Eyes
If you can’t physically escape, then at least close your eyes for 5 minutes. It’s another easy way to block a little stress and give yourself the opportunity to collect your senses.
23. Organize Your Surroundings
Often the source of your stress in right in front of you. If you have a messy desk or office, or your place is a bit of a disaster, take 5 minutes to tidy up and get organized. It will have a huge impact on your mental state, and you’ll likely feel like you’re in way more control.
24. Squeeze a Stress Ball
This is a classic quick response to stress, but it can be really helpful, especially when what you’re feeling is anxiety or anger. It offers a physical release in a really simple and discreet way.
25. Make Some Fun Plans
If your day’s not going so well, take a few minutes and plan something fun for the evening. Whether it’s a movie or dinner with a friend, the prospect of something positive at the end of your day can make everything go more smoothly.
Have any questions or feedback about these 25 Ways to Relax in 5 Minutes or Less? Please leave a comment below…
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Thank you for visiting! Weight Loss and Training is a health blog which features all the best weight loss tips that I have learned over my 20 years of training. My background includes a degree in Kinesiology from the world renown Simon Fraser University, certification in nutritional sciences from UBC, and Personal Trainer Specialist certification from Can Fit Pro.