Take a Breath (Relaxation)
Slowly breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth is called taking a "deep" one of these.
What is a breath?
Popping a piece of sour candy or sipping a warm cup of tea uses this sense to bring your focus back to the present moment.
What is taste?
Watching a funny movie or comedy show helps lower stress by making you do this, which is often called "the best medicine."
What is laugh?
Putting on comfortable shoes and taking a stroll around the block or a park is this simple, free exercise.
What is walking (or going for a walk)?
When you are feeling overwhelmed and need someone to talk to, you can pick up the phone and call a trusted family member or one of these.
Who is a friend (or support person / peer)?
When practicing "belly breathing," you can rest your hand on this part of your body to feel it rise and fall.
What is your stomach (or belly)?
Putting on your favorite upbeat song or listening to the sound of rain uses this sense to help shift your mood.
What is hearing (or sound)?
Grabbing some markers or colored pencils and filling in a picture book is this relaxing, creative activity.
What is coloring (or drawing)?
Drinking plenty of this clear liquid throughout the day keeps you hydrated and helps prevent fatigue and headaches.
What is water?
Stepping away from a heated argument for a few minutes so you can cool down before speaking is called taking one of these.
What is a break (or a time-out / space)?
A great way to release physical stress is to tightly squeeze your muscles for five seconds and then do this.
What is relax (or let go / release)?
Holding an ice cube in your hand or splashing cold water on your face uses this sense to quickly calm down strong emotions.
What is touch (or feeling)?
Doing a word search, a crossword, or putting together a 500-piece jigsaw are all examples of these brain-teasing games.
What are puzzles?
Reaching your arms up toward the ceiling or touching your toes helps loosen tight, stressed muscles and is called doing this.
What is stretching?
Repeating an encouraging phrase to yourself—like "I can get through this" or "I am doing my best"—is called positive self-____.
What is self-talk (or affirmation)?
Closing your eyes and picturing a calm, peaceful place—like a quiet beach or a cabin in the woods—is known as this technique.
What is visualization (or guided imagery / picturing a safe place)?
Using lavender lotion, lighting a candle, or stepping outside for fresh air uses this sense to help your brain relax.
What is smell (or scent)?
Spending time petting or playing with a furry friend, like a dog or a cat, is a proven way to lower stress with the help of these companions.
What are pets (or animals)?
Most adults need about 7 to 8 hours of this every night so their brain and body can recharge and handle emotions better the next day.
What is sleep (or rest)?
Looking for the good in your day and naming three things you are thankful for is a great way to practice this positive habit.
What is gratitude (or thankfulness)?
In this popular breathing exercise named after a four-sided shape, you breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, and hold for 4.
What is Box Breathing (or Square Breathing)?
In the popular "5-4-3-2-1" grounding exercise, the very first step is to look around the room and name 5 things you can do this with.
What is see (or look at)?
Writing down your thoughts, feelings, or what happened during your day in a blank notebook is called keeping one of these.
What is a journal (or diary)?
Having too much of this ingredient—found in coffee, energy drinks, and soda—can make anxiety and jittery feelings much worse.
What is caffeine?
Saying "no" when you are already too stressed or busy to take on someone else's problem is an example of setting a healthy one of these.
What is a boundary?