Research has shown just how effective these tactics are at reducing negative emotions, despite the fact that you’ve likely never heard of these anti-stress strategies before.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious and stressed, and squeezing that stress ball is doing nothing for you, try one of the following strange strategies. Research has shown just how effective these tactics are at reducing negative emotions, despite the fact that you’ve likely never heard of these anti-stress strategies before.
“Age old adages, such as ‘grin and bear it’ have suggested smiling to be not only an important nonverbal indicator of happiness but also wishfully promotes smiling as a panacea for life’s stressful events,”
1. Break Something
Throw a dish. Smash a wall. Kick the furniture.
These movements are what you’re typically used to seeing on a TV show or in a movie when the character is stressed, and maybe you’ve felt those same urges yourself. Embrace the urge!
Breaking something shatters your stress, pun intended. That's because breaking items are a no-no in proper society. By stepping outside these boundaries, however self-imposed these rules may be, you give yourself a sense of power again. You also help to break through the sense that rules, restrictions and boundaries are hampering you in.
It can, similar to opening a boiling tea kettle, help relieve some internal pressure.
2. Drink Orange Juice
You might want a glass of wine to de-stress, but orange juice might actually be what your body is craving. The beverage is rich in vitamin C, an important vitamin that helps to de-stress your system.
In one study, 120 people were asked to speak in public (an event that stresses most people out). Half of the group were given 1,000mg of vitamin C. Those who got the supplement had significantly less stress and lower blood pressure compared to those who didn't get the vitamin. (1)
Other vitamins that can help relax away stress include riboflavin, thiamine niacin and biotin.
3. Fake a Smile
Even if the stress and anxiety makes smiling the LAST thing you want to do, go ahead and make a grin.
“Age old adages, such as ‘grin and bear it’ have suggested smiling to be not only an important nonverbal indicator of happiness but also wishfully promotes smiling as a panacea for life’s stressful events,” says Tara Kraft, a psychologist who conducted a study on the effects of smiling on stress. (2) “We wanted to examine whether these adages had scientific merit; whether smiling could have real health-relevant benefits.”
They found that smiling truly does help reduce signs of stress.
Of course, manifesting true, authentic positivity is always more effective and healthier than faking a smile. We have many courses on positivity and how to create more joy in your life, all available through CUE. CUE is completely free and gets you access to hundreds of courses, articles, videos, and audios on personal development. If you want to learn more about strategies that can help you to feel more joy, click here to get free access now!
4. Audition for American Idol
Turn up the volume, wind down the windows and belt out your favorite songs. According to research published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, singing - and not just singing, but singing as loud as you can - releases oxytocin in your brain. (3) This brain chemical relaxes you and improves your mood. Meanwhile, belting out tunes reduced the stress hormone cortisol.
References:
1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200304/vitamin-c-stress-buster
2. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/smiling-facilitates-stress-recovery.html
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15669447