Quick Stress Relief: 8 Fast, Easy One-Minute Tension-Busters

8 Effortless Ways To De-Stress In A Minute Or Less
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In our new series, "Time Out," we'll be sharing ways to make stress relief fit your schedule -- no matter how much or little time you have. Whether it's one minute or a whole day, there are easy, accessible de-stressors to help you unwind and charge, no extra money or energy involved.

When you think of stress relief, you may be imagining a day at the spa, a relaxing weekend getaway, or just an evening to yourself to unwind in the tub. But de-stressing doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming -- and often when you need it the most is when you only have a minute or two to spare.

Click through the slideshow below for 10 fast, effect tension-busters that you can use at any time, in any place. Whether it's a 30-second "email meditation" before you press "send" on an important message or a quick laughter break, try these techniques the next time you're feeling anxious.

Tell us: What are your favorite quick ways to de-stress? Share your thoughts in the comments or tweet your one-minute de-stressors to @HealthyLiving.

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Before You Go

8 Ways To De-Stress In 1 Minute Or Less
Quick Body Scan(01 of08)
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To help quiet your mind and boost awareness of the sensations in your body, sit or lie down in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Start by drawing your attention to different parts of your physical body, and checking in with how they feel. You can begin at the feet and work your way up to the head, noticing and releasing any tension as you go. A thorough body scan meditation might last around 10 minutes, but you can quickly complete the exercise in a minute or less as a way to bring back your wandering mind to the physical present. (credit:alamy)
Email Meditation(02 of08)
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Email is one of the biggest Internet stressors, and when we're at our desks dealing with a pile of unread messages and a growing "follow-up" folder, it's easy to get a little anxious. In the book "Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life," Dr. Lillian Cheung and Zen master Thich Naht Hahn outline a brief email meditation to practice before you hit the "send" button. Click here for the full instructions. (credit:alamy)
Listen To Nature Sounds(03 of08)
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According to Dr. Kathleen Hall, stress expert and founder of the Mindful Living Network, nature sounds can do wonders to reduce stress. Hall recommends sitting quietly for one to three minutes and listening to the sounds of natural landscapes, like oceans, rainforests or brooks. "There are some great apps that have sounds of whales or birds or cats purring ... It immediately stops the production of stress hormones," Hall tells the Huffington Post. (credit:shutterstock)
Laugh(04 of08)
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Even if it doesn't feel natural at first, making time for a quick laugh -- whether it's by watching a silly animal video or reminding yourself of a funny joke -- can help bust you out of a stressful headspace. Laughter releases endorphins in the brain and relaxes the muscles, according to the Mayo Clinic. (credit:alamy)
Deep Breathing(05 of08)
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Breathly deeply in and out for just one minute can help to refresh your mind and reset your body. Harvard University research in the 1970s conducted by Dr. Herbert Benson found that short periods of meditation that focused on the breath had the power to alter the body's stress responses, activating the "relaxation response." Find a quiet place to sit for one minute, focusing on breathing deeply in and out and letting go of distracting thoughts. (credit:alamy)
Essential Oils (06 of08)
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The part of the brain that processes smells is located in close proximity to that which governs emotion and memory, so scent can be a powerful way to induce pleasant emotions and calm the mind. Essential oils can be particularly effective -- according to a 2008 study published in Holistic Nursing Practice, essential oils actually reduced stress perception in nurses working in intensive care unit settings. Try keeping ylang ylang, peppermint or lavender essential oils at your desk and applying a small amount on the skin when you start feeling stressed. (credit:Shutterstock)
Neck & Shoulder Massage(07 of08)
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Help soothe tense muscles in the neck and shoulders (also known as the "stress triangle") by giving yourself a brief massage. But make sure it's not a mindless massage while staring at the computer -- for the full de-stressing benefits, stop what you're doing and bring mindful awareness to the muscle tension you feel, as well as the release of that tension. (credit:Shutterstock)
Dance (08 of08)
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The free motion and stretching movements of dance can help to release tension from the body and lift your spirits. Exercise in any form can act as a stress reliever by pumping up endorphins, according to the Mayo Clinic, and dancing can be a particularly enjoyable way to blow off steam for many people. Put a favorite song on your headphones, step away from the computer, and let loose for a minute -- it's almost guaranteed to boost your mood. (credit:shutterstock)

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