Things to try

What do Winston Churchill, Damon Wayans, and the majority of professional athletes have in common? They all openly love napping. A short 10-20 minute nap (ideally early in the afternoon) can have numerous physical and mental health benefits. If you're in a funk, adding a short nap to your routine might be a good way to decompress and jumpstart your day.

Walking might sound almost too easy to be effective, but it elevates your heart rate enough to count as exercise and also has some amazing benefits. Research shows it can boost your mood, energy level, creativity, and productivity, making it a perfect way to clear your head and take a break. It can also help to reduce symptoms of depression, strengthen your immune system, and improve heart health. This makes it a great habit to stay physically and mentally strong so you’re better equipped to deal with stress.

Take a few minutes (even just 5-10) to sit in silence and focus solely on your breath as you inhale and exhale. This is a simple way to calm your mind and body and can help shift your focus to the present moment and give your mind a rest from negative thoughts. It may take some practice, so don't beat yourself up if you catch your mind wandering—noticing when this happens is actually a great sign. All you have to do is refocus and keep going, which is a skill in itself.

Breathwork, or consciously controlling your breath, is easy way to relax that you can do almost anywhere, and anytime—even when other aspects of life might seem out of control. The practice has existed for thousands of years, and there are many different approaches you can experiment with. Belly breathing is a great basic you can start with, and even just noticing the quality of your breath during the day is a great way to focus inward and away from all the thoughts in your head.

Breathing exercises are a small but powerful way to relax and decrease stress no matter where you are. The 4-7-8 approach is one technique with powerful benefits—it can calm your mind, manage a fight-or-flight stress response, and even help you sleep better. You can feel calming effects in the moment, and when done regularly the benefits can be even greater. As you do it more often, your body will start to incorporate it automatically. Experts recommend doing three cycles twice a day to make it a habit. Follow these 3 steps to complete one cycle: 1) Inhale through your nose for 4 counts, 2) Hold your breath for 7 counts, 3) Exhale through your mouth for 8 counts.

Relaxing can help counter a fight-or-flight stress response. The 5-4-3-2-1 technique is one approach you can try. To do this, pause for a moment to take notice of your surroundings, Ask yourself a series of questions, counting down from 5: 5) What are 5 things you can see? 4) What are 4 things you can feel? 3) What are 3 things you can hear? 2) What are 2 things you can smell? 1) What is 1 thing you can taste? This method helps you focus on your body, and grounds you in the moment.

TLDR: Weighted blankets work. Weighted vests even work for our animal friends! And there are even weighted stuffed animals.The science is simple: It's like being tucked in – safe and secure – or like a big hug from someone you love. The weight in a weighted blanket is proven to help settle nerves and improve sleep, which in turn has all sorts of benefits for your health.