5 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress in Your Life

1. Take a walk
Whether it's 90 degrees or 19, getting outside is a great stress reducer. Take a walk through the park, hike a nature trail, or explore a new neighborhood on foot.

2. People watch
Head to a cafe and sit outside if it's summer or next to the window if the weather's not so nice. Sip a cup of tea or a coffee and watch the passersby or daydream. You can bring a book, a magazine, or the newspaper, but chances are you'll find people watching much more interesting.

3. Work in the garden
Whether it's working in your own garden, weeding an elderly neighbor's vegetable patch, or planting a community garden, gardening is a terrific method of reducing stress both physically and emotionally.

4. Sit by a babbling brook or the next best thing...
Water soothes the soul, whether you are in it or simply listening to it. Some of us are lucky to have a babbling brook winding through our backyards and others are able to visit magnificent fountains in their public parks. Some people are ambitious enough to build fountains and water features in their backyards.

5. Take a shower
It may sound silly to some people, but for me taking a shower is just as much a transition time as it a time to get clean. It's also a way to cool down on a hot summer day. Even 5 minutes under the shower jets can do wonders for your body and soul in terms of reducing stress levels.

Recommended reading:
Five Good Minutes in the Evening: 100 Mindful Practices to Help You Unwind from the Day & Make the Most of Your Night