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Advice / Succeeding at Work / Work-Life Balance

12 Totally Unexpected Ways to De-stress

Have you ever heard exercise helps you de-stress? What about meditation or deep breathing? We don’t know about you, but we’re a little tired of being told the same de-stressing techniques over and over. So here you go: 12 relaxation suggestions that (we hope) you haven’t seen before.

  1. Go on: Drop an F-bomb or 10. Just not where your boss can hear. (Scientific American)

  2. Make a beeline to the office kitchen and sniff an apple. Not only will the scent ward off headaches, it can make you less stressed. (Eating Well)

  3. Massage your ears. No, seriously: The action releases endorphins! (Zen Habits)

  4. Start pacing. That’s what one super successful entrepreneur does when he’s deep in thought. (Tech Co.)

  5. If you’re at your computer, try shutting it down and working on a task that doesn’t involve a screen. (Psych Central)

  6. There are actually foods that calm you down. We suggest eating them. (NPR)

  7. Green is the new black! Turns out having a plant on your desk relaxes you. (Forbes)

  8. You might want to close your office door for this one, but listening to head-banging music and rocking out will help you release all that nervous energy. (Inc.)

  9. If you’ve got 20 minutes to spare, looking at fractals (like a picture of snowflakes or ocean waves) will make your brain happy. (Everyday Health)

  10. What have you accomplished today? Whether it’s big or small, tell yourself—out loud—what an awesome job you did. (Reader’s Digest)

  11. Blowing up a balloon forces you to practice deep breathing, so make a run to the drug store. Or just take a deep breath. (U.S. News & World Report)

  12. Re-conceptualize stress as a good thing. It’s your body’s way of preparing your for a challenge. (The Muse)