Instant Alert: 15 simple ways to relax, according to scientists

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   15 simple ways to relax, according to scientists by Lydia Ramsey and Jessica Orwig on Feb 4, 2016, 3:27 PM Advertisement It's easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day grind and let the stress pile on. And getting rid of that stress often seems exponentially difficult.  So if you're looking for a way to escape, here are some science-backed ways to decompress, even if you can't take a vacation. SEE ALSO: 15 healthy eating habits that work according to scientists DON'T MISS: Science-backed ways to stay focused all day Get a massage. Yes indeed, getting a massage may be a great way for some of us to relieve stress and relax.  One small study looking at the effect of back massages on Japanese students preparing for exams found that people who got them had less muscle stiffness and lower levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. Some caveats though: the study was small, and it didn't have a control group. In other words, there's no way to know if they'd sent another group of people into a quiet room and not given them massages that they wouldn't have seen similar results, perhaps just from being isolated from their studies. Meditate. Meditation is often seen as a great way to relax, and many studies back up that idea. In a meta-analysis looking at several studies of relaxation training in people with anxiety, the observed effects of meditation were greater than those observed for other intentional relaxation techniques, such as autogenic training (a process that involves making your body feel heavy and warm) and applied relaxation. Other studies have also outlined its effect as an anti-anxiety and antidepressant method. Want to learn how to meditate? Check out this nifty graphic. Exercise regularly. The key to a relaxed mind is a relaxed body, according to the Harvard Medical School: "The relaxed body will, in turn, send signals of calm and control that help reduce mental tension." One way to relax the body is by exercising. It may sound counterintuitive, but working out can help the body release mood elevating hormones, like endorphins, and reduce levels of stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network: Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011