30 Fastest Ways for Parents to Reduce Stress, Backed By Science

by ParentCo. August 17, 2015

As part of our series on parents and stress, we researched the fastest ways for parents to reduce stress. All of these link to the study, research or article that backed them up. Make a suggestion for this list and we'll add it!
  1. Socialize - the most popular way to de-stress, according to this study
  2. Watch some funny videos - for example, these videos about stress on Funny or Die
  3. Eat some dark chocolate
  4. Chew gum
  5. Make out with someone
  6. Go all the way and have sex with them (bonus: also counts as exercise)
  7. Share a laugh with someone
  8. Have a drink if you can stop at one or two.
  9. Or skip the drink and get a good night's sleep.
  10. Consciously focus on feelings of gratitude and thankfulness
  11. Breath deeply for a few minutes
  12. Take a 10 - 15 minute walk
  13. Exercise lightly or vigorously
  14. Take a 10 - 20-minute power nap (but not longer)
  15. Practice some simple mindfulness exercises
  16. Get out into nature - the most powerful stress relief for highly-stressed people according to this study
  17. Or at least look at some trees.
  18. Dance. Even solo, it's good for you, but doing the tango might be better.
  19. Turn your iPhone off for a while.
  20. Do something nice for someone else
  21. Take a warm bath
  22. Take a cold shower
  23. Listen to music (more on this)
  24. Pray
  25. Draw something
  26. Journal, or at least write about your stressors
  27. Hang out with your pet
  28. Smell something good
  29. Drink some black tea
  30. Start a grub farm with your partner. Uh...



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