8 Daily Habits That Keep You Calm

Relax! De-stress with these energizing and mind-soothing tips

By Beth Howard


Photo by: Comstock

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Move! Regular daily exercise (such as walking for 20 minutes) can lower levels of stress hormones.

Take a deep belly breath “Abdominal breathing increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, triggering the brain to decrease the concentration of stress hormones,” explains Bruce S. Rabin, MD, PhD, head of the Healthy Lifestyle Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Get your zzz’s A good night’s sleep helps your body block the surge of stress hormones.

Chat on the phone with a friend It keeps your social bonds strong, which gives you an overall feeling of support and belonging. “People who feel like they have friends and family they can turn to generally feel less stressed when things get tough,” says Sheldon Cohen, PhD, a psychology professor at Carnegie Mellon University.

Be mindful For one minute, pay attention to what’s happening inside and around you, listening to your heartbeat or your breathing.

Pop on those headphones Any music lover knows that listening to your favorite tunes can make you less tense almost immediately.

Cut yourself some slack Head off your inner critic: Write down a negative thought, then challenge it by writing something positive next to it. List as many as you can (or want to). When you get down on yourself, pull out your list to remember—and reinforce—the positive.

Say thanks “At the dinner table, my family and I ask each other, ‘What new and good thing happened to you today?’” says Dr. Domar.

Stop stress overeating
Blame it on physiology. We turn to food when we’re tense because our body needs those extra calories to work through stressful situations, says Dr. Wheeler. But being aware that you’re prone to eat more (and not-so-healthy) is a powerful antidote. “Stop and recognize that you’re going to eat to calm down. Then you can make a better choice,” says Dr. Wheeler. If you still really want that candy bar, eat just a small amount and try for a healthier swap. “If you crave chocolate, have 1 to 2 ounces of the dark kind, eat slowly and savor every bit of it.”