Feeling Frazzled? Use Any of These Simple Stress Relievers Right Now

SOS Meditation

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Kat Borchart

We highly recommend hitting the SOS button — literally or figuratively. Headspace has one-minute, two-minute, and three-minute "SOS buttons" for when you're feeling overwhelmed or flustered. We also have a three-minute guided meditation audio here on POPSUGAR that you can listen to any time.

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Breathe in Some Essential Oils

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Try using lavender, ylang ylang, rose, or geranium to relieve stress or opt in for energizing and uplifting citrus like grapefruit. Whether you're diffusing at home or just rubbing a little oil between your hands for a nice deep breath, these delightfully scented droppers can do marvelous things for your mood.

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Brew a Hot Cup of Tea

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Hot drinks can actually calm anxiety, according to anxiety expert and psychotherapist Jodi Aman. She told POPSUGAR that "drinking hot liquid helps with calming your nervous system." Try a stress-relieving blend like chamomile, lavender, or green — or something with valerian root for an extra kick.

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Take Some CBD

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The all-natural, plant-based form of popping a pill — if taken in the right dose for your body — can feel like a panic attack's off button.

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Stretch

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Product Credit: Missoni sweater

Taking a meditative minute or two (or five or 10, if time permits) to just stretch out your body can do wonders for you both physically and mentally. We tend to carry stress in our muscles, so the physical release could allow for an emotional one as well while the time away from your daily to-dos can allow for a bit of peace and calm for your brain. Stuck at work? Book a conference room or step outside to get some relief.

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Walk Around the Block

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A bit of fresh air and circulation does a body and brain quite a bit of good. Wherever you are, try to pause, put everything down, and go for a brisk jaunt. Leave your phone behind to fully disconnect.

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Phone a Friend

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Kat Borchart
Product Credit: TALULA top, Veda bottom, Stella McCartney bag, Michael Kors necklace

Vent your frustrations or get a full-blown distraction from one of your best pals. They're there for you through thick and thin, so send that "SOS" text and hop on FaceTime or a quick call to chat out the stress.

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Bump Some Tunes

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Pop in your headphones or turn up your Bluetooth speaker and let the music move you into a better mood. Need some happy songs? We've got you.

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Try a Gentle Yoga Flow

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If you've got a few minutes (honestly, just carve out a few minutes even if you think you can't) and a little space to move, try this stress-releasing sequence. It's free, you don't need any equipment, and you can truly do it anywhere . . . so get to it!

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Foam Roll or Self-Massage

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Similar to stretching (but even better!), if you've got a foam roller or massage therapy ball, you can do some serious work on the tense parts of your body. Even five minutes can make a world of difference.

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Just Dance

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As it turns out, dancing is a great way to relieve stress (and has been shown to help fight depression!). Into Zumba? We've got videos for that. Love to laugh while you dance around in your bedroom? The Fitness Marshall is what you need.

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Eat Some Dark Chocolate

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Not that you need another reason to treat yourself, but dark chocolate is high in magnesium, which (like CBD) is a natural anxiety remedy. It can also relieve muscle cramps, which tend to happen when you're particularly tense. So get that chocolate! The higher the percentage of cacao, the better.

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Head to the Gym (or Studio)

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If you've hit the "F*ck it" point and you're throwing the papers off your desk, head to your gym or favorite studio, book the next class, and sweat it out. Sometimes that's the only thing you can do to get it out of your system! No studio nearby? Head for a run outside or try one of our at-home workout videos. Pro tip: turn up some loud music while you're at it.

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Sing

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Product Credit: Max Mara Sweater and Skirt

It sounds a little silly, but it totally works. Singing is known to fight stress and even more serious conditions like anxiety and depression. Jump in the shower and use the shampoo bottle as a mic or get in the car and go for a drive while you bump some '90s pop hits or Alanis and scream-sing the stress away. Not that we have experience with this or anything . . .

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Take a Hot Bath

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If it's the end of a long, hard day, throw in some soothing salts and soak out the stress. Bonus points if you use candles and/or aromatherapy, a face mask, and some tranquil tunes. You can make your own spa at home if you try hard enough.

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