Try this stress-release skill to de-stress quickly. It combines releasing muscle tension and visualization.
Here’s how it works.
- Grab two tennis balls, one in each hand. If you don’t have tennis balls, use balled-up washcloths or socks.
- Now, close your eyes and squeeze the tennis balls as you imagine squeezing toothpaste out of a tube or juice out of a lemon.
- Squeeze as you count to 5, then release as you spread open your hands.
- Squeeze again as you count to 5, then release as you spread open your hands.
- Repeat three times.
With practice, you’ll bring on the relaxation response in a few seconds just by imagining squeezing the toothpaste or lemon and then spreading open your hands.
