As part of our series on parents and stress, we researched the fastest ways for parents to reduce stress. All of these link to the study, research or article that backed them up. Make a suggestion for this list and we'll add it!
- Socialize - the most popular way to de-stress, according to this study
- Watch some funny videos - for example, these videos about stress on Funny or Die
- Eat some dark chocolate
- Chew gum
- Make out with someone
- Go all the way and have sex with them (bonus: also counts as exercise)
- Share a laugh with someone
- Have a drink if you can stop at one or two.
- Or skip the drink and get a good night's sleep.
- Consciously focus on feelings of gratitude and thankfulness
- Breath deeply for a few minutes
- Take a 10 - 15 minute walk
- Exercise lightly or vigorously
- Take a 10 - 20-minute power nap (but not longer)
- Practice some simple mindfulness exercises
- Get out into nature - the most powerful stress relief for highly-stressed people according to this study
- Or at least look at some trees.
- Dance. Even solo, it's good for you, but doing the tango might be better.
- Turn your iPhone off for a while.
- Do something nice for someone else
- Take a warm bath
- Take a cold shower
- Listen to music (more on this)
- Pray
- Draw something
- Journal, or at least write about your stressors
- Hang out with your pet
- Smell something good
- Drink some black tea
- Start a grub farm with your partner. Uh...
