Do you feel like you’re constantly under pressure? Do you have trouble winding down and relaxing after a long day? If so, you’re not alone. According to the American Psychological Association, stress is one of the most common mental health concerns in the United States. Fortunately, there are many ways to relax instantly and calm your nerves. In this blog post, we will discuss six science-based strategies for relaxation!

Meditation helps with relaxation.

Meditation allows us to observe our thoughts and emotions in a detached, non-judgmental way. Meditating for as little as 10 minutes daily can instantaneously reduce your stress and anxiety. Studies have discovered that meditation can not only help reduce stress, but regular meditation can also minimize the risk of cardiovascular disease.

 

Listen to Music and play your favorite tunes.

According to a 2017 study, “a minimum of 20 min of music listening” can lower stress levels remarkably. Another 2015 study found that listening to Music is highly effective in reducing stress.

The research stated, “Results revealed that mere music listening was effective in reducing emotional stress levels. The most profound effects were found when ‘relaxation’ was stated as the reason for Music listening, with subsequent decreases in subjective stress levels and lower cortisol concentrations.”

 

Try Hydrotherapy

Splashing some cold water on your face and pulse points can help you cool your body temperature and make you feel energized. Running cold water or putting ice on your wrists can help you calm down quickly as major arteries run through the wrists.

Get some sun.

Step out of your home or office for a while and feel the warm sun on your skin. Vitamin D from the sunshine can lift your mood instantly.

Take a quick walk.

Getting some fresh air and moving your body for just 10 minutes can clear your head and make you feel ready for the tasks ahead.

Chew gum.

Chewing gum can help you keep stress away and enhance your productivity and mood.

Stress can have a major impact on our health and well-being, but thankfully there are plenty of ways to relax instantly. The science-based strategies we’ve outlined in this post should help you get started on finding some peace and tranquility in your life. If you’re looking for more assistance in managing stress or would like help incorporating some of these relaxation techniques into your daily routine, don’t hesitate to contact us. We specialize in helping people live their best lives and would be happy to provide guidance and support for reducing stress and achieving optimal wellness.

By Sarah Cody, WTNH.com

MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — High school seniors across the state are facing a new kind of challenge in the age of pandemic as they get ready to go to college: how to tour a campus while adhering to social-distancing precautions.

“I applied to 10 schools,” says Aiden Annino, a senior at Platt High School in Meriden who recently narrowed his choices down to three colleges in Rhode Island but wasn’t able to go back to those campuses due to the pandemic.

“It was definitely tough not being able to visit those schools…was a huge effect, but they were offering a lot of online activities that helped me narrow down my options,” Annino said.

Turning to tech has enabled teens to somewhat get a feel for their potential “fit” at particular schools.

Quinnipiac University was supposed to host prospective students in late March. “Instead of having them on campus, we hosted them virtually,” explained Vice President for Enrollment Management, noting the university held video chats and online panels. “We had about 9,000 visitors between Thursday and Sunday when those events went live.”

Administrators, faculty, and current students were available to answer questions about everything from classes to dorms to activities.

But, Sykes understands, these are unprecedented times. “I can’t imagine the frustration that students are going through,” he says.

“They’re also dealing with the fact they had an abrupt end to their senior year,” says Marc Lehman, founder of U Are Heard, who holds online counseling for college-aged kids. He’s hearing a lot about this issue.

“It’s a big deal, one that deals with finances, emotions,” he says, adding that this unusual time could lead to gap years or transfers. “It may, it may.”

Annino decided to attend Johnson & Wales University. He’s confident it’s the right decision and, certainly, time will tell: “I am taking this one step at a time. I think that’s all we can do right now.”

Quinnipiac University is continuing to provide video chats and online panels. Click here to see the Admitted Student Experience. And, like many schools, it has extended the freshman enrollment deadline to June 1st.