Quick Stress Relief

Ever wish a stress superhero could save you from the tension of traffic jams, chaotic meetings, toxic work environments, arguments with your spouse, or a toddler’s tantrums? Well, you can be your stress-busting superhero. Using your senses, you can tap into the power to reduce the impact of stress as it’s happening and stay in control when the pressure builds. Like any skill, learning how to ease stress at the moment takes time, experimentation, and practice, but the payoff is enormous. When you know how to relieve stress quickly, you can stay calm, productive, and focused—no matter what life throws at you.

What is the fastest way to relieve stress?

There are countless techniques for managing stress. Yoga, mindfulness meditation, and exercise are just a few examples of stress-relieving activities that work wonders. However, in the heat of the moment—during a high-pressure job interview, for example, or a disagreement with your spouse—you can’t just excuse yourself to meditate or take a long walk. For these situations, you need something more immediate and accessible.

One of the speediest and most reliable ways to stamp out stress is by engaging one or more of your senses—sight, sound, taste, smell, touch—or through movement. However, since everyone is different, you’ll need to do some experimenting to discover which technique works best for you.

Talking face-to-face: another rapid stress reducer

Social interaction is your body’s most evolved and surefire strategy for regulating the nervous system. Talking face-to-face with a relaxed and caring listener can help you quickly calm down and release tension. Although you can’t always have a pal to lean on in the middle of a stressful situation, maintaining a network of close relationships is vital for your mental health. Between sensory-based stress relief and good listeners, you’ll have your bases covered.

Tip 1: Recognize when you're stressed

It might seem obvious that you’d know when you’re stressed, but many of us spend so much time in a frazzled state that we’ve forgotten what it feels like when our nervous systems are in balance—when we’re calm yet still alert and focused. If this is you, you can recognise when you’re stressed by listening to your body. When you're tired, your eyes feel heavy, and you might rest your head on your hand. When you're happy, you laugh easily. Moreover, when you’re stressed, your body lets you know that, too. Get in the habit of paying attention to your body’s clues.

Stress Symptoms, Signs, and Causes: Improving Your Ability to Handle Stress

Observe your muscles and insides. Are your muscles tense or sore? Is your stomach tight, cramped, or aching? Are your hands or jaw clenched?

Observe your breath. Is your breathing shallow? Place one hand on your belly, the other on your chest. Watch your hands rise and fall with each breath. Notice when you breathe fully or when you "forget" to breathe.

Tip 2: Identify your stress response

Internally, we all respond to the “fight-or-flight” stress response the same: your blood pressure rises, your heart pumps faster, and your muscles constrict. Your body works hard and drains your immune system. Externally, however, people respond to stress in different ways.

The best way to quickly relieve stress often relates to your specific stress response:

Overexcited stress response â€“ If you tend to become angry, agitated, overly emotional, or keyed up under stress, you will respond best to stress relief activities that quiet you down.

Under excited stress response â€“ If you tend to become depressed, withdrawn, or spaced out under stress, you will respond best to stress relief activities that are stimulating and energising.

The immobilisation or “frozen” stress response

Do you freeze when under stress? The immobilisation stress response is often associated with a history of trauma. When faced with stressful situations, you may find yourself stuck and unable to take action. Your challenge is to break free of your “frozen” state by rebooting your nervous system and reactivating the body’s natural “fight-or-flight” stress response. The physical movement that engages both your arms and legs, such as walking, swimming, running, dancing, climbing or tai chi, can be particularly helpful. As you move, focus on your body and the sensations you feel in your limbs rather than on your thoughts. This mindfulness element can help your nervous system become “unstuck” and move on.

Tip 3: Bring your senses to the rescue

To use your senses to relieve stress quickly, you first need to identify the sensory experiences that work best for you. This can require some experimentation. As you employ different senses, note how quickly your stress levels drop. Moreover, be as precise as possible. What is the specific kind of sound or type of movement that affects you the most? For example, if you’re a music lover, listen to many different artists and genres of music until you find the song that instantly lifts and relaxes you.

Explore a variety of sensory experiences so that no matter where you are you’ll always have something you can do to relieve stress.

The examples listed below are intended to be a jumping-off point. Let your mind run free and come up with additional things to try. When you find the right sensory technique, you’ll know it!

Sight

• Look at a cherished photo or a favourite memento.
• Use a plant or flowers to enliven your workspace.
• Enjoy the beauty of nature—a garden, the beach, a park, or your backyard.
• Surround yourself with colours that lift your spirits.
• Close your eyes and picture a place that feels peaceful and rejuvenating.

Smell

• Light a scented candle or burn some incense.
• Experiment with different essential oils.
• Smell the roses—or another type of flower.
• Enjoy clean, fresh air in the great outdoors.
• Spritz on your favourite perfume or cologne.

Touch

• Wrap yourself in a warm blanket.
• Pet a dog or cat.
• Hold a comforting object (a stuffed animal, a favourite memento).
• Give yourself a hand or neck massage.
• Wear clothing that feels soft against your skin.

Taste

Slowly savouring a favourite treat can be very relaxing, but mindless eating will only add to your stress and your waistline. The key is to indulge your sense of taste mindfully and in moderation.

• Chew a piece of sugarless gum.
• Indulge in a small piece of dark chocolate.
• Sip a steaming cup of coffee or tea or a refreshing cold drink.
• Eat a perfectly ripe piece of fruit.
• Enjoy a healthy, crunchy snack (celery, carrots, or trail mix).

Movement

If you tend to shut down when you’re under stress or have experienced trauma, stress-relieving activities that get you moving may be particularly helpful.

• Run in place or jump up and down.
• Dance around.
• Stretch or roll your head in circles.
• Go for a short walk.
• Squeeze a rubber stress ball.

Sound

• Sing or hum a favourite tune. Listen to uplifting music.
• Tune in to the soundtrack of nature—crashing waves, the wind rustling the trees, birds singing.
• Buy a small fountain, so you can enjoy the soothing sound of running water in your home or office.
• Hang wind chimes near an open window.

Vocal Toning

As strange as it may sound, vocal toning is a unique technique that reduces the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Try sneaking off to a quiet place to spend a few minutes toning before a meeting with your boss and see how much more relaxed and focused you feel. It works by exercising the tiny muscles of the inner ear that help you detect the higher frequencies of human speech that impart emotion and tell you what someone is trying to say. Not only will you feel more relaxed in that meeting with your boss, but you’ll also be better able to understand what he’s trying to communicate.

How to tone

Sit up straight and make “mmmm” sounds with your lips together and teeth slightly apart. Experiment by changing the pitch and volume until you experience a pleasant vibration in your face and, eventually, your heart and stomach.

Tip 4: Find sensory inspiration

Having trouble identifying sensory techniques that work for you? Look for inspiration around you, from the sights you see as you go about your day to memories from your past.

Memories. Think back to what you did as a child to calm down. If you had a blanket or stuffed toy, you might benefit from tactile stimulation. Try tying a textured scarf around your neck before an appointment or keeping a piece of soft suede in your pocket.

Watch others. Observing how others deal with stress can give you valuable insight. Baseball players often pop gum before going up to bat. Singers often chat up the crowd before performing. Ask around about what people you know do to stay focused under pressure.

Parents. Think back to what your parents did to blow off steam. Did your mother feel more relaxed after a long walk? Did your father do yard work after a hard day?

The power of imagination. Once drawing upon your sensory toolbox becomes a habit, try simply imagining vivid sensations when stress strikes. The memory of your baby’s face will have the same calming or energising effects on your brain as seeing her photo. When you can recall an intense sensation, you’ll never be without a quick stress relief tool.

Take a break from technology

Taking a short hiatus from the television, computer, and cell phone will give you insight into what your senses respond to best.

• Try tuning into relaxing music instead of talk radio during your commute. Alternatively, try riding in silence for 10 minutes.
• Stuck in a long line at the grocery store? Instead of talking on your phone, take a moment to people watch. Pay attention to what you hear and see.
• Instead of checking email while waiting for a meeting, take a few deep breaths, look out the window, or sip some tea.
• While waiting for an appointment, resist the urge to text and give yourself a hand massage instead.

Tip 5: Make quick stress relief a habit

It’s not easy to remember to use your senses in the middle of a mini—or not so mini-crisis. At first, it will feel easier to tense up. However, with time, calling upon your senses will become second nature. Think of it as like learning to drive or play golf. You don’t master the skill in one lesson; you have to practice until it becomes second nature. Eventually, you’ll feel like you forget something if you don’t tune into your body during challenging times. Here’s how to make it a habit:

Start small. Instead of testing your quick stress relief tools on a source of major stress, start with a predictable low-level source of stress, like cooking dinner at the end of a long day or sitting down to pay bills.

Identify and target. Think of just one low-level stressor that you know will occur several times a week, such as commuting. Vow to target that stressor with quick stress relief every time. After a few weeks, target a second stressor and so on.

Test-drive sensory input. If you are practising quick stress relief on your commute to work, bring a scented handkerchief with you one day, try music another day, and try a movement the next day. Keep experimenting until you find a clear winner.

Have fun with the process. If something doesn’t work, don’t force it. Move on until you find what works best for you. It should be pleasurable and noticeably calming.

Talk about it. Telling friends or family members about the stress-relief strategies you’re trying out will help you integrate them into your life. As a bonus, it’s bound to start an interesting conversation: everyone relates to the topic of stress.

Tip 6: Practice wherever you are

The best part of sensory-based strategies is the awareness that you have control. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, quick stress relief is within arm's reach.

Quick stress relief at home

Entertaining. Prevent pre-party jitters by playing lively music. Light candles. The flicker and scent will stimulate your senses. Wear clothes that make you feel relaxed and confident.

Kitchen. Ease kitchen stress by breathing in the scent of every ingredient. Delight in the delicate texture of an eggshell. Appreciate the weight of an onion.

Children and relationships. Prevent losing your cool during a spousal spat by squeezing the tips of your thumb and forefinger together. When your toddler has a tantrum, rub lotion into your hands and breathe in the scent.

Sleep. Too stressed to snooze? Try using a white noise machine for background sound or a humidifier with a diffuser for a light scent in the air.

Creating a sanctuary. If clutter is upsetting, spend 10 minutes each day to tidy. Display photos and images that make you feel happy. Throw open the curtains and let in natural light.

Quick stress relief at work

Meetings. During stressful sessions, stay connected to your breath. Massage the tips of your fingers. Wiggle your toes. Sip coffee.

On the phone. Inhale something energising, like lemon, ginger, peppermint. While talking, stand up or pace back and forth to burn off excess energy, or take calls outside when possible.

On the computer. Work standing up. Do knee-bends in 10-minute intervals. Suck on a peppermint. Sip tea.

Lunch breaks. Take a walk around the block or in the parking lot. Listen to soothing music while eating. Chat with a colleague.

Your Workspace. Place family photos on your desk or mementoes that remind you of your life outside the office.

Quick stress relief on the go

In traffic. Play music or listen to an audiobook. Take a different route to see something new. Do neck-rolls at stoplights. Sing in the car to stay awake and happy.

Public transportation. Take a break from reading, cell conversations, and music and tune into the sights and sounds around you. Try noticing something new even if it’s the same old bus ride.

Running errands. Wear a special perfume or lotion so you can enjoy it while you rush from place to place. Carry a stress ball in your pocket. Take a mental “snapshot” or “postcard” at each destination.

Waiting in lines. Instead of worrying about time slipping away, focus on your breathing. People watch. Chat with the person ahead of you. Chew a stick of minty gum.

Take action, connect and speak up!

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Resources and references

The Road to Resilience â€“ Learn how to increase your resilience, the trait that allows you to bounce back from adversity and stress. (American Psychological Association)

Managing Stress for a Healthy Family â€“ Tips for dealing with stress in the family better and modeling healthy behavior to your kids. (American Psychological Association)

Exercise Fuels the Brain's Stress Buffers â€“ Explains how regular exercise helps reduce and manage stress levels. (American Psychological Association)

Mini-relaxation exercises: A quick fix in stressful moments â€“ Whether you have one minute or three, these relaxation exercises can help to quickly relieve stress. (Harvard Health Publications)

Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress â€“ See how you can learn to practice meditation whenever you need it most. (Mayo Clinic)

Download Meditations â€“ Download or stream a dozen free meditation recordings to help you cope with life's inevitable hurdles. Comes with handouts. (Sitting Together)

Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response â€“ How to use breathing exercises to relieve stress. (Harvard Health Publications)

The Effect of Music on the Human Stress Response â€“ Study that shows the beneficial effect of music on stress levels. (NIH)

Authors: Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., Melinda Smith, M.A., and Lawrence Robinson. Last updated: March 2018.