7 Shortcuts To A Stress-Less Life | HuffPost Life

Let's face it. Meditation, despite its many benefits, isn't for everyone. Sitting down and focusing on only your breathing can be frustrating for some and boring for others.

Which is why psychotherapist and grief counselor Ashley Davis Bush decided to create a list of "shortcuts" that can give you the same stress-relieving benefits of meditation but without the effort. These tips don't require you to take more time out of your day; instead, they're just little practices that you can incorporate into your regular activities -- like while washing your hands or drying your hair.

"The tools are quick things to do, think, say or imagine to make you feel calmer, more relaxed and less stressed," says Davis in her book Shortcuts to Inner Peace.

Below is a list of shortcuts adapted from Davis' book. Give them a try the next time you need a little stress relief in the middle of your day.

Go with the flow.

alamy

Trigger: When washing your hands.

Tool: Whenever you're at a sink and touch water, let the stream of warm liquid cue you to say: "Go with the flow" or "I trust the universe" or "Everything is as it should be." This reminds you to let go and flow with the current of life.

Spread joy using your hair dryer.

alamy

Trigger: When you blow-dry your hair.

Tools: Take a moment to aim the hair dryer toward a window, out to the world and scatter some joy. Say, "I spread joy out to all beings on the planet." Think of grievances, people struggling with loss, illness, addiction, fear, anxiety, depression, people in hospitals, prisons, people getting divorced, people getting married, people having babies, people struggling with infertility, victims of natural disasters -- and let yourself experience goodwill as you blow it out to the world. Share your compassion for the entire human condition.

Experience food.

alamy

Trigger: When you are eating.

Tool: Look at your food and ask yourself, "Where did this food come from?" (Cheese from Vermont? Almonds from California? Grapes from Chile? A factory in North Dakota? A farm in Wisconsin?) Imagine the environment that created this item that you're enjoying and imagine all the parts in the journey that brought it to your table.

Douse your anger.

alamy

Trigger: When your buttons get pushed and you're upset, maybe even on the verge of tears

Tool: Excuse yourself, get out of the situation, find the nearest water fountain, sink or bottle of water and splash your face with cold water. If possible, get a wet washcloth or paper towel and hold it to the back of your neck or on your face until you cool off. Imagine your emotional fire being doused.

Shake it off.

Getty

Trigger: When coming home at the end of the day (or when transitioning out of a stressful situation).

Tool: Before you walk through the door, spend a moment "shaking down" your body, as if you are shaking off water. Shake your right leg and foot, then your left leg and foot. Shake your right arm and left arm, and gently shake your head. Let your shoulders relax. Finish with a little twist of your torso to shake off any remaining energy from your day. Take a deep breath and heave a hearty sigh (a prolonged exhalation).

Travel forward in time.

alamy

Trigger: When you're feeling overwhelmed or frightened by present circumstances.

Tool: Close your eyes, take a deep breath and ask yourself: "Will this matter in a year? In five years? In 50 years?" With each jump in time, picture yourself in the future looking back at the situation behind you.

Listen to the night sounds.

alamy

Trigger: When you can't sleep at night.

Tool: Close your eyes and tune in to all the sounds around you. As you hear a sound, label it: barking dog, airplane overhead, dishwasher running, cough, crickets outside, honking horn and so on. Listen more deeply: Do you hear the sound of your breath? Do you hear the beat of your heart? Feel yourself relax into the experience. Count each exhalation.

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.

Support HuffPost

healthy living slidepollajax Healthy Living Spirit

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Related

From Our Partner

HuffPost Shoppings Best Finds

This Ultra-Cozy Sweater Is Practically The Epitome Of Fall And Reviewers Love It

So Many Reviewers Agree That These Bras Are Insanely Comfortable

The Best Hands-Free Sex Toys According To Reviewers Who Have Tried Them

Reviewers Say These Are Their 11 Favorite Sex Toys For Solo Play

15 Men's T-Shirts That Reviewers Are Buying In Bulk From Amazon

MORE IN LIFE

I Take My Young Daughters To A Clothing-Optional Hot Spring Every Year. Heres Why.

This TSA PreCheck Scam Could Steal Your Money. Heres How To Spot It.

The 3 Office Monsters Youve Likely Encountered At Work

5 Things Adults Shouldnt Discuss In Front Of Kids (And 5 Surprising Things They Should)

This Unconventional Travel Trend Is Many Travelers Go-To For A Fall Trip

Theres Good Fat And Bad Fat Do You Know The Difference?

This Is The Bedding That Amazon Shoppers Are Obsessed With

These 11 Hardworking Beauty Products Are Some Of Amazon's Bestsellers Right Now

27 Products On Amazon That Inspired Over 1,000 People To Leave A 5-Star Review

Just 36 Terrifyingly Good Before And Afters Of Cleaning Products Doing The Dang Thing

The Best Men's Underwear To Buy In Bulk On Amazon

The Travel Hygiene Step Too Many People Forget About

Why Is Election Day On A Tuesday?

Science Explains Why Coffee Makes You Pee So Much

The Rules For Wearing Tights This Winter, According To Stylists

Can You Eat The Pumpkin You Used For A Jack-O-Lantern?

Here's The 1 Thing Parents Get Wrong About Raising Confident Kids

This 6-In-1 Indoor Grill Has Been Called 'One Of The Best Purchases Ive Ever Made' And It's 40% Off Right Now

Apples Latest iPad Is On Sale For Its Lowest Price Ever

The Funniest Tweets From Parents This Week

This Mega-Popular AncestryDNA Genetic Testing Kit Is 60% Off On Amazon

The Funniest Tweets From Women This Week

These Must-Have Beauty Picks Are On Sale For Sephora's Savings Event So Stock Up!

The Oral-B Electric Toothbrush Is 50% Off, But You Dont Have Long To Grab It

Reviewers Say This Shark Vacuum Works 'Better Than A Dyson' And It's The Lowest Price Of The Year.

These Actually-Nice Throw Blankets Are Weighted Blankets In Disguise

46 Products That'll Help Revive Almost Everything In Your Home

31 Products For Anyone Who Loves Being Outside But Hates Being Cold

The Tiny, Powerful Blender That Our Food Editor Uses Way More Than Her Vitamix

The Inexpensive Kitchen Tool That Saved My Family's Enormous Holiday Dinner

These Under-$30 Gifts Will Be A Hit Without Decimating Your Budget

If You Love Snacks, You Need These Accessories To Level Up Your Cheese Board

10 Products That Will Help You Find Those Items You're Always Losing

Meet The Women Who Say They're 'Canceling Out' Their Dads' Votes

9 Baby Name Trends To Look Out For In 2025

The Oral-B Electric Toothbrush Is 50% Off, But You Dont Have Long To Grab It

Reviewers Say This Shark Vacuum Works 'Better Than A Dyson' And It's The Lowest Price Of The Year.

This Towel And Blanket Warmer Is A Must-Have For Winter And At Its Lowest Price Of The Year

We Track Sales For A Living. Here Are Amazon Deals To Grab Before They Go This Week.

This Snail Mucin Retinol Leaves Your Skin 'Glowing' And It's On Sale For Just $10