Sniff an orange. When you’re stressed, your sense of smell actually gets sharper because your body is in survival mode. Put those superhuman powers to use by sniffing some citrus essential oil. In a recent Brazilian study, participants who endured a stressful test felt much less anxious when they sniffed orange essential oil for five minutes prior to the exam. Best of all, the effects followed them throughout the day. Snack well. Eat your way to relaxation? Count us in. Blueberries are loaded with vitamin C, which helps lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and chamomile is a known anxiety-soother. (Check out more zen foods with 13 Foods That Fight Stress) Make faces. When you feel tense, looking ridiculous can help, says Dr. Oz. Scrunch up your whole face for 15 seconds, release and then repeat, he says, to help zap any strain you’re inadvertently holding above the neck. (Or try any of these other Oz-approved exercises.) Go for a midday vacay. Just because National Relaxation Day isn’t a federal holiday—yet—doesn’t mean you can’t take a break. A quick walk around the block or a five-minute meditation can recharge your day almost as well as a stroll down a beach. Oh, and tonight? Don’t even think about bringing work home with you. (Try this five-minute meditation for calm on the quick) Change a bulb. A simple swap can help you mellow, according to research. High-wattage light can raise stress levels, make you hungry, and even make you eat faster. Switch normal white light blubs for blue-enriched light, which decreases fatigue, ups your mood, and improves sleep, suggests Manhattan psychologist Dr. Joseph Cilona. For more ways to de-stress your day—and your summer—see Cool It.
