Stress has a sly way of sneaking up on you. It can curl up inside you and grow like a Chia Pet before the sprouts get out of hand. Physical symptoms such as temporary hives, one-day headaches, or long-term weight gain may occur as a result of stress.

Allowing the body and mind to reset is one easy way to cope. Take a nap — even 10 minutes of napping can be beneficial. If you were still tired, the lack of sleep may make stress management more difficult.

Dropping something to take a nap is certainly not a good look when the tension boils over at work, at a party, or in public. Stress may also team up with anxiety in these cases, leaving you unsure about how to control both emotions.

Fortunately, there are several pointers that could assist you in lowering the cortisol levels. Read our ways to relax stress in five minutes or less if you need fast tips to keep your heart pumping at a more manageable pace.

If you’re seeing a larger trend, take a longer break with our 30-minute tips or consult a professional to get to the bottom of the problem.

Tip One: Chew Gum

Chewing is a perfect way to relieve tension. If you have gum on hand, chew it for at least three minutes, preferably scented gum. People who chewed gum at work had a lower stress response, according to a survey of 101 adults.

But don’t chew in a half-hearted manner! It may be beneficial to expend some of your pent-up energy on the gums. Another study discovered that in order to relieve tension, vigorous chewing was necessary.

Tip Two: Go for a Walk

Exercising or going for a stroll is a perfect way to relieve tension. For starters, it allows you to flee the situation. Second, exercise encourages the body to release endorphins, the feel-good neurotransmitters.

Consider walking to be a kind of meditation in motion. A few laps around the block could help you forget about your stress and relax, allowing you to return to the situation calmer and more composed.

Tip Three: Try Yoga

Yoga isn’t just a traditional practice for people of all ages; it’s also gaining popularity as a way to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Yoga interrupts stress by creating an impact that is the polar opposite of your fight-or-flight response, according to research.

Cortisol levels, blood pressure, and heart rate can all be reduced with a simple routine. Tara Stiles’ 10-minute routine is one of our favorites. This routine begins with a lot of swaying and relaxation.

Tip Four: Try Stress-Relieving Supplements

There are a number of vitamins and supplements that you can consider taking to assist with the reduction of stress. A stress support supplement manages to balance your stress levels, allowing you to cope with things in a healthier manner. You should take the supplement every day in order to have the best possible chance of managing it properly.

The Bottom Line

Stress can lower your productivity and keep you from achieving what you are capable of. Managing it properly can allow you to achieve everything you want to achieve.