Stop Stress in 60 Seconds

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60 Seconds to Stress Relief

Listen to Beethoven or Bach
One study found that people who listened to classical music after a stressful task had significantly lower blood pressure than those who heard no music.

Make a Thankful List
Write down five things that you’re grateful for at that moment. “It could be the window in your office, air-conditioning on a hot day, or your pet,” Kase says. When you are under stress, everything can seem overwhelming, and it’s easy to forget about things you appreciate. “Writing down a grateful list helps people realize there can be stressful things and wonderful things at the same time,” she says.

Play with a Favorite Toy
Keep wind-up toys, Nerf balls, Rubik’s Cubes®, etc., in your desk. “I keep a clown nose, an Elvis driver’s license, and light-up thumbs with me at all times,” says Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D., an adjunct professor in psychology at Pepperdine University. “Humor adds perspective, making the stressors of life less potent.”

Eat Yogurt
A study found that people suffering from exhaustion and stress improved after taking a probiotic supplement for six months. Probiotics contain the good bacteria found in yogurt.

Mix Your Breakfast
Have a breakfast of oatmeal and bananas with a dash of half-and-half, says Shawn M. Talbott, Ph.D., research director at SupplementWatch.com, a health education company. A meal that contains protein and complex grains will help you think more clearly. The more clearly you think, the less anxious you’ll get during the day.