11 Have sex
Either by yourself or with someone who at the very least doesn’t stress you out: An Israeli study found that sex was a stress reliever for couples in a satisfying relationship. Another study checked the levels of cortisol in the saliva of couples and found that people who had sex had lower levels, “suggesting a buffering effect of intimacy” on stress and a better mood all around. As for solo sex, masturbation is a sensory experience that helps you focus and releases bodily tension; doing it to orgasm releases dopamine and endorphins, both of which can lift you out of stress.
12 Go on a cleaning binge
Giving the inside of your pantry a good wipe-down or really getting into the sofa cushions with a vacuum attachment has multiple stress reducing benefits on top of fewer visits from icky vermin: it’s a project that requires a little planning, but some physical activity—both of which Kissen says can reduce stress—and is likely to result in a sense of achievement that lifts your mood. And working mindfully at it can reduce stress even more: one study found that folks who were told to stay gently focused on what they were doing while washing dishes boosted their effect (although being mindful while you do most any activity may show similar benefits.)