Jun 25, 2014 / by Ann-Marie Giglio / No Comments

It’s tough to run at full-tilt every day.

But sometimes our days just go that way.

Don’t let stress get the best of you.

Try these simple ways to relieve it.

  1. Chamomile Tea. This has historically been known to help calm you down. Now science knows why—it binds to the brain receptors in the same way powerful sedative drugs do, without being addictive or harmful. You can drink it as a tea or take it as a supplement.
  2. Get your heart rate up. A growing body of research suggests that 21 minutes is all you need to de-stress and start feeling better. So do jumping jacks, jump rope, go for a walk, a jog, do something you enjoy that gets your heart pumping. After you’re done, you’ll forget what it was that had you feeling anxious and worried in the first place!
  3. Use your nose. A small number of studies show that smells—specifically lavender— can help calm you down. Give it a try. Get some lavender oil and inhale. Make sure you’re seated and somewhere quiet.
  4. Take a few deep breaths. This is one of the best techniques you can learn to calm down. It can be used anytime, anywhere. Just inhale slowly. Try a count of ten for one inhale. Hold your breath for three seconds. Then exhale slowly. Repeat as necessary.