HeartAndSolutions

Stress can be hazardous to both mental and physical health. Unmanaged stress can cause headaches, fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety, irritability, depression, angry outbursts, social withdrawal, and over or undereating, just to name a few. There are numerous ways to help manage stress: yoga, meditation, exercise, ect. However, sometimes we need to relieve our stress quickly. We can’t step away during an important meeting or argument with a loved one to take some “me time” to calm down. In these instances, we need a quick way to reduce stress so that we remain in control and do not act impulsively. 

One of the quickest ways to do this is to engage our senses: touch, smell, taste, sound, and sight. Massaging your hands (touch), putting on your favorite scent (smell), chewing sugarless gum (taste), tuning into the soothing sounds around you (sound), or picturing a place that is peaceful (sight), are just a few examples of how to engage your senses. Another idea is to engage numerous senses on an object near you. Hold your phone in your hand and feel its weight (touch), focus on the cover and how it catches the light (sight), tap your finger on it and listen to the dull tap (sound). The options are seemingly endless. Experiment with different techniques and figure out what and which sense works best for you. 

References

HelpGuide. Quick Stress Relief. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/quick-stress-relief.htm

Mayo Clinic. Stress Management. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987