Stress can be put in its place.

Stress is a natural part of daily life. Stress can hurt your emotional and physical health. These are 10 ways to calm down and find stress relief. These strategies can be used next time you need to stop stressing.

Get out the bubble gum

Do you feel like you are being unglued? Take a piece of gum. Chew gum to relieve stress and anxiety. The rhythmic motion of chewing gum may increase blood flow to the brain. Another theory is that the gum’s taste and smell trigger relaxation. If you think, “I can’t stop stressing”, grab some gum. It is an inexpensive and effective stress relief method that you can use almost anywhere.

Get Outside

Do you want to learn how to stop stressing? Get outside. It is a great way to reduce stress. Research shows that even a short walk outside can give you a boost in your mood. Natural settings can induce calm. However, being outside often means being active.

Smile as you mean it

Don’t stress and smile instead! The old saying, “Grint and bear it,” has some truth. When you’re feeling stressed, smiling can help reduce stress by causing tension in your facial muscles. When smiles are genuine and use muscles around the eyes and mouth, they can help reduce stress. A smile can help an increased heart rate recover quicker after a stressful situation is over.

Sniff Some Lavender

Are you looking for ways to reduce stress at work? Lavender is a great option. Certain smells can trigger relaxation. One study found that nurses who had lavender oil pinched in their clothing experienced lower stress than those who didn’t. Nurses exposed to lavender smell reported feeling more relaxed than nurses who were not. The effects of painkillers and anti-anxiety medication can be increased by lavender. If you are taking any of these medications, it is important to consult your doctor before using lavender essential oil. The lavender essential oil can also help stress headaches and migraines.

Tune In

Music can be a great way to calm down if you are preparing for a presentation at work or facing another stressful situation. One study found that participants who listened to Latin choral music (Miserere) had lower cortisol levels than those who listened to rippling water. It is easy to reduce stress by listening to soothing music.

Reboot your Breath

Breathing exercises can be used to stop stress. Breathing exercises have two benefits. The two-fold effect of breathing exercises is to focus on the breath and stop the body’s “fight or flight” response. You can do this exercise by inhaling slowly and deeply through your nose. Allow your abdomen and chest to expand as you inhale. For as long as your inhale lasts, breathe out slowly and repeat a phrase or word that makes it feel peaceful and calm. Breathing exercises that last at least 10 minutes will provide the best results.

Be kind to yourself.

All of us have an inner dialogue. Sometimes, we cannot speak to ourselves lovingly and reassuringly. Learning to be compassionate and positive in self-talk will help you stay calm and find effective solutions to your problems. Imagine how you would talk to someone facing a similar problem or situation. It’s comforting to tell yourself, “I can solve this problem” or “It will be OK.” This is better than focusing on negative self-talk or catastrophizing. If you have trouble stopping stress, you can speak to yourself as you would to a friend in distress.