Quick Stress Relief Techniques: Simple Strategies for Immediate Calm

Too much stress can compromise your immune system and make you more vulnerable to illness and disease. Here are some ways to help you destress quickly.

Instructions

• 1

  Breathe deeply and consciously. Take a deep breath in through your nose and hold it for several seconds. Exhale deeply through your mouth with a soft "ah" sound.

• 2

  Get up and get away. Oftentimes, stress is caused by a flight or fight reaction. If you can get away you can relieve some of the stress. And taking a walk will help ease the tension as well.

• 3

  Close your eyes and imagine yourself somewhere more peaceful if you cannot get away.

• 4

  Laugh. Go online and read some simple, funny jokes. The lighthearted moment will help relieve stress instantly.

• 5

  Consider the worst case scenario. Stress can be caused by worrying about what might happen if (fill in the blank). By playing out the worst possible outcome in your mind, you can come up with a solution, should the worst occur, and then it doesn't seem so ominous.