Super-Simple Ways To Relieve Stress

9. Do something to make yourself laugh.

Think back to the last time you laughed—and I mean laughed (not just said “LOL” in a text). You probably felt way less stressed in that moment, right?

There’s a reason: “People often hold a lot of their stress in their face, and laughs or smiles can help relieve some of that tension,” according to the APA.

That’s why Chapman says scheduling time to interact with family on FaceTime or playing with friends on the Nintendo Switch (or other gaming devices) should be a regular activity. Talking to and laughing with family and friends will get rid of those not-so-positive thoughts that can come with feeling isolated and stressed.

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10. Learn how to knit.

Or sew, or paint—literally any craft that interests you. The process of creating something can be therapeutic—especially repetitive tasks like knitting, crochet, or cross-stitching.

Researchers found that creating art for 45 minutes noticeably lowered cortisol levels in the saliva of 39 people in a 2016 study in the journal Art Therapy. While it may be frustrating before you get used to your new craft—whether it’s pottery, candle-making, jewelry-making, or something else—making something will help with stress in the long run.