How to Get Rid of Stress in 5-10 Minutes or Less (12 Tips)

How to Get Rid of Stress

Stress is bad for us.  It harms our health and destroys our well-being.  We  all know we should reduce it, but in our fast-paced society, it is hard to find the time.  Here are some simple, easy ways for how to get rid of stress that all take less than 10 minutes.  On days when I am working with clients, I do these in between appointments, and on days when I am blogging all day, I take breaks every 3 hours and do one of these.  On days when I am super-busy, I do these in the shower or on the bus.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #1.  Practice Short Meditation.

The easiest meditation is simply deep breathing.  Deep breathing is a natural way of getting rid of stress quickly.  It generally takes about 5 minutes to take 25 to 30, long, slow deep breaths.  Close your eyes, take  a long, slow deep breath in and let it out. Start at 25 and count each breath all the way down until you get to zero.  By the time you get to zero, you will be feeling a lot better.  You can do this anywhere, even when you are driving or standing in line in a store or while you are in the shower.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #2.  Use a Mantra and Imagery.

With this technique, think of a time in your life when you felt completely relaxed and carefree.  Maybe it was a special vacation you went on or a day at the beach.  Imagine every detail.  Picture what the scene looked like.  Hear the sounds around you.  Remember who you were with, and anything they may have said to you.  Remember what it felt like to be in this environment, and how carefree and relaxed you felt.  Now think of a few words that will help you get back into this relaxed, peaceful state, maybe something like calm and relaxed or happy and carefree.  In you were in Hawaii or the Bahamas, your words might simply be Hawaii or the Bahamas.  The next time you are feeling stressed, simply take a deep breath, repeat these words and visualize this scene, and you will be transported back into this positive state, reducing your stress level.  This is another technique that can be used anywhere.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #3.  Eat a Blood Sugar Balancing Diet.

You can also prevent a lot of stress by eating blood sugar balancing meals, consisting of protein, vegetables and healthy carbohydrates.  The paleo diet is great for this.  You can read more about it here.  Stable blood sugar gives our bodies a stronger foundation to be more resilient in handling stress.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #4.   Drink a cup of Herbal Tea.

There are many herbs that are great for getting rid of stress.  Some good ones to try are Chamomile, Kava Kava and Passionflower.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #5.  Do Yoga Stretches.

When we get stressed, we not only hold stress in our minds, but also in our physical body.  Stretching is a great way to release it.  This is a great yoga routine that only takes 5 minutes.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #6.  Go for a Walk. 

Walking is a great way to get rid of stress.  It is best to walk outside if you can.  The combination of exercise, fresh air and sunshine for even just 10 minutes is great for stress relief.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #7.  Use a Chi Machine. 

This is a massage gadget that gently rocks your body back and forth.  It is very soothing and relaxing to the nervous system and you can get results in as little as 5 minutes.  It is also detoxifying and helps to get rid of pain.  This works great and I use it everyday.  This is the original chi machine and this one is a less expensive version that I  have.  I actually just got another one this morning so that I could have one at home and at my office.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #8.  Write a Gratitude List.

Gratitude can help remind us of what is really important and all the ways we are blessed in our lives.  Write a list of 10 or 20 things that you are grateful for the next time you are feeling stressed.  If you are not able to write it down, you can just think it mentally in your head.  If you are not writing it down, you can easily do this anywhere, driving, while on hold on the phone, brushing your teeth, etc.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #9.  Use Aromatherapy.

Lavender and Chamomile essential oils are great for getting rid of stress.  You can keep a small bottle  in your purse, desk or briefcase and inhale the aromas anytime you are feeling stressed.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #10.  Watch Funny YouTube Videos.

It is really hard feel really stressed when you are laughing.  Try watching videos of animals, kids or a clip of your favorite comedian.  Just do a quick search on YouTube.  You can also watch Pharrel William’s 4 minute Happy video and dance along with the video if you are in a place where you can.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #11.  Practice Simple Self-Hypnosis.

Self-Hypnosis is a powerful way to get rid of stress.  Hypnosis brings you into a deeply relaxed state where positive suggestions can gently and powerfully act on your subconscious mind.  I have a self-hypnosis recording available of 4 nature scenes, each one 10 minutes long. There is a tropical beach, garden, coastal trail and waterfall scene.  It is like going on a 10 minute vacation and will get rid of all of your stress.  I use these myself at least once a day.  You can check it out here.  This can easily be downloaded to your iPhone or SmartPhone so they are always with you when you need them.  They cannot be listened to while driving.

How to Get Rid of Stress – Tip #12.  Use the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

The Emotional Freedom Technique is a fast, easy way to get rid of stress and release negative emotions.  I use this in my private practice with clients and have miracles happen every week.  EFT is based on the principles of Chinese Medicine and involves stimulating certain points with your fingertips while repeating certain sentences, words and phrases.  It is a fast technique, and relief can often be felt within minutes.  Click here to learn more.