AARP Staying Sharp Logo
Join AARP Renew Now

You’ve reached content that’s exclusive to AARP members.

To continue, you’ll need to become an AARP member. Join now, and you’ll have access to all the great content and features in Staying Sharp, plus more AARP member benefits.

Join AARP

Already a member?

Want to read more? Create an account on aarp.org.

A healthy lifestyle helps protect the brain. Make brain health a habit and register on aarp.org to access Staying Sharp.

Login to Unlock Access

Not Registered?

13 Simple Ways That May Help Reduce Stress That Are Easy to Incorporate into Your Life

Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin
Email
Print

Laughing, walking outdoors and eating chocolate are just a few ways to tame stress

   

Add to My Favorites
My Favorites page is currently unavailable.

Add to My Favorites

Added to My Favorites

Completed

by Elizabeth Agnvall

Updated August 19, 2022

It only makes sense. Do things that are fun or relaxing, and that heart-pounding presentation you're facing may not seem so daunting. Whatever brings you stress, these 13 tactics will help bring well-deserved calm to your life.

Here's how these habits may help support well-being:

  1. Find a green space. Walking in nature relieves tension, decreases frustration and increases calm feelings. No time to find a park? Even five minutes outside boosts mood.
  2. Take a YouTube break. Just make sure it's funny. A good belly laugh increases oxygen intake, relaxes muscles, lowers blood pressure, reduces cortisol levels and releases natural painkillers. Even a few minutes of laughter is a terrific stress reliever.
  3. Breathe like a lion. Try this yoga breath to immediately relieve tension in the jaw, chest and face. Take a deep breath through your nose, filling your chest and belly with air, then stick out your tongue as far as possible toward your chin — à la Mick Jagger — and exhale with a loud "ha" sound. Extra perk: It helps prevent neck wrinkles.
  4. Give a bear hug to someone you live with. A nice big squeeze will reduce your heart rate and cortisol levels, and trigger the release of the warm and fuzzy love hormone oxytocin. Muscles relax, and nerves are soothed. No hug-worthy friends close by?
  5. Hang with friends. Buddies buffer stress by reducing cortisol and increasing the body's natural opiates. Call, text, FaceTime or Zoom with pals as daily medication.
  6. Get it on. Sex releases the pleasure hormones oxytocin and endorphins. Muscle tension and worries temporarily disappear. Kissing, hugging and holding hands work, too.
  7. Eat a square of chocolate. Not only is it rich in healthy flavanols, but cocoa consumption also increases nitric oxide in the blood, opening blood vessels and reducing blood pressure. What's more, it causes the brain to release feel-good endorphins.
  8. Pet your pet. Stroking a furry friend reduces blood pressure and stress levels. No pets at home? Volunteer at an animal shelter.
  9. Reach out and volunteer. People who engage in meaningful and purposeful activities — such as helping others — have improved immunity and lower levels of inflammation.
  10. Get dirty. The good bacteria in dirt increase the release of serotonin and improve mood in the same way antidepressants do, research finds. So plant something beautiful when the weather's right. Your stress levels will drop as your garden blooms.
  11. Get good zzz's. Too much cortisol contributes to nighttime wakefulness and worries that keep your brain awake. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed, set regular sleep and wake times, and keep the room dark.
  12. Get moving. Exercise pumps out feel-good endorphins, improves mood, aids sleep and acts as moving meditation. A good workout can blunt the stress response for a full day.
  13. Go for it. Bust out moves to your favorite songs or take a cold shower. Even putting a little extra spice on your burger can help reset stress levels, says therapist Christy Matta, author of The Stress Response.

Up Next

Challenges

Added to Favorites

Favorite removed

Challenges

Added to Favorites

Favorite removed

Challenges

Added to Favorites

Favorite removed

AARP VALUE &
MEMBER BENEFITS 

light blue sweatshirt need volunteer
MEMBER BENEFIT
Community

Create the Good

Find nearby volunteer opportunities that interest you

Learn More
See more Community offers >
Smiling, mature Hispanic man, woman looking at laptop in kitchen
MEMBER BENEFITS

AARP® Medicare Plans from UnitedHealthcare®

A range of Medicare-related plans

Learn More
See more offers >

Your 30-Day Free Trial Has Expired!

Continue enjoying limited access to Staying Sharp.  To unlock full access to all features and content, you need to become an AARP Member.

Join Now

Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

 

Unused AARP Rewards points expire 12 months after they are earned, in monthly batches on a rolling basis.