Want a less violent version? Try rage yoga where you forgo the “om” and instead get to yell, scream and curse while you flow through poses. Known commonly as "rage rooms," these spaces allow guests to basically break things like plates, speakers and monitors to alleviate stress. Remember that scene in Office Space where Peter and his cohorts destroy their work nemesis-the malfunctioning fax machine? Well, now you and your friend can do that too. Or create a spa DIY-style with home-made body scrubs and strawberry-cucumber-infused water.
So, schedule some services at a local spa and help your friend decompress with a massage or facial. That’s because taking time for yourself can lower anxiety, reduce stress and improve immunity, along with many more mental and physical benefits. It’s no surprise that we’re big fans of the self-care movement (even Japanese snow monkeys are into it). An aromatherapeutic treatment like Tata Harper’s Aromatic Irritability Treatment makes a thoughtful wellness gift and it comes with a dose of good energy to boot. In fact, a 2017 study found that bergamot, which has a spicy floral scent, helped patients feel most positive. For example, chamomile reduces anxiety, patchouli oil promotes relaxation and bergamot cheers you up and helps relieve irritability. Rather, certain essential oils are believed to help calm nerves and boost mood. And we’re not talking about Cinnabon here (although that works too). Give them a soothing scentĪlong those same lines, sometimes a whiff of the right scent can make you happy or at least less cranky. All of the study’s participants expressed excitement when they received a bouquet, and reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated afterward. It might seem like a cliché, but have you ever noticed how just being around some beautiful blooms can perk you right up? Plus, researchers at Rutgers University discovered that flowers really do make people happy. (Much like volunteering, baking for others helps you feel good about yourself.) Try these easy recipes for beginner bakers or these No-Bake Chocolate Peanut-Butter Pretzel Bars. Indeed, the act of baking is similar to meditation, and offers a creative outlet that relieves stress (if you actually enjoy baking, that is) and promotes well-being. Try some hearty, tummy-warming dishes that are comforting but still healthy like Lemony Chicken and Rice Soup, Chickpea and Vegetable Coconut Curry or Spinach Mushroom Lasagna.īecause sometimes it's easier to express love and support through a Bundt cake-even if you get a little help from Betty Crocker. So, if you’ve got a friend who’s feeling down and eating badly because of it, offer to cook her dinner (or take her out for a proper meal if you don’t cook). And while we are firm believers that fries are a very necessary food group, it’s proven fact that carbs can actually block serotonin, which is one of the happiness hormones, and can make you sluggish, unmotivated and downright sad. When someone’s down in the dumps, it’s common to experience low energy levels that make it tempting to reach for quick, unhealthy snacks. In other words, you and your friend will both feel better after a warm embrace. Plus, oxytocin, which is known as the "cuddle hormone," is released when you wrap your arms around someone. In fact, a recent study published in Plos One found that a hug from someone, especially a friend or family member, helps buffer against negative emotions. Simply allowing them to vent and saying “yeah, that sucks” can make a person feel less alone.Īccording to scientific research, touch provides a slew of health benefits, including lessening the impact of stress.
More likely, they want to be heard and know that you empathize. After all, your pal probably isn’t looking to you for a solution to their problem. Sometimes lending an ear is all it takes to get a person through a tough situation.