{"id":19056,"date":"2021-04-27T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/?p=19056"},"modified":"2025-05-30T12:33:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T16:33:00","slug":"ways-to-reduce-stress-in-5-minutes-or-less","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/telecommuting-survival\/ways-to-reduce-stress-in-5-minutes-or-less\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Reduce Stress in Five Minutes or Less"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated May 2025<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the portrayal of remote work as a sweatpants-wearing, ability-to-do-whatever you want bliss, the reality is starkly different. As a remote worker, you have to put up with constant distractions, achieve a work-life balance, and manage your time efficiently. As a result, you may have more stress than you realize \u2014 even in comparison to an office worker. Yet time is still of the essence. You can’t necessarily call it a day at noon just because you’re stressed. Instead, you must find ways to reduce stress, optimally in five minutes or less. Not only will these techniques allow you to stay on task, but you’ll remain mentally prepared for the rest of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Make a Cup of Tea<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s something relaxing about a hot cup of tea. It\u2019s warm and calming and the smell can help you relax. If anything, preparing a cup of tea forces you to take a timeout and focus on yourself. After a few deep breaths and a little warm tea, you’ll be ready to get back to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So why does tea help you relax? It’s one part mental and one part nutrition. Drinking tea has been a part of various cultures for thousands of years. It’s not only nutritious, but the making of the tea is somewhat ritualistic. Everyone likes their tea a certain way and preparing, smelling, and enjoying it can be a soothing experience in itself. From a nutritional standpoint, most teas contain theanine \u2014 an amino acid that’s been linked to elevated mood and increased relaxation<\/a>. Tie the two together, and a cup of tea is sure to cure what ails you, both mentally and physically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Meditate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meditation has been linked to numerous benefits, acting as a destressor and reducing anxiety. The best part is that you can meditate just about anywhere without noise or distraction. Just put your head back, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing for a few minutes. Things will be a little clearer after you open your eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, meditation offers a number of other benefits to a remote worker in addition to stress relief. The list of perks includes:<\/p>\n\n\n