by Darcia Helle

Created on: July 23, 2008   Last Updated: August 03, 2008

Feeling down? In a funk? Or perhaps you're just having a hectic day and need a quick pick-me-up? All too often we get caught up in the stresses of life. We forget how important it is to take a time-out to rejuvenate our minds and bodies. The following is a list of proven remedies that take very little time, yet provide immense relief.

1. Spend time with a pet: Pets bring out our nurturing instinct and provide unconditional love and acceptance. Research has continually shown that spending time with a pet can reduce stress, as well as lower blood pressure.

A study done on 92 patients hospitalized in coronary care units found that pet owners faired much better. After one year, only 6-percent of patients with pets had died, compared to 28-percent of patients who did not have pets. Having a pet boosted survival rate more than having a spouse or friends did.

Don't have the time or desire to care for a 4-legged creature? How about fish? In one study, some patients undergoing oral surgery were asked to spend a few minutes watching tropical fish in an aquarium. Using blood pressure, muscle tension, and behavior as measures, the patients who watched the fish were much more relaxed than those who did not.

2. Grab a toy: Have you ever seen a stressed out 5-year-old? Maybe all that playtime has something to offer. Stash a yo-yo in your desk draw. Pose some action figures on a shelf. Use all the colors in a box of crayons to color one picture in a coloring book. Let go. Be a kid for awhile.

3. Hug someone: Our bodies have an immediate response to touch. Our heart rate and blood pressure drop, our breathing slows, our muscles relax, and our immune systems get a boost.

According to a study reported by the American Psychosomatic Society, a brief hug and 10 minutes of handholding with a romantic partner significantly reduces stress.

So hug your partner. If you don't have a partner, hug a neighbor or a coworker. Or you could even hug the UPS driver. Who knows, maybe the person you hug needed that boost as much as you did.

4. Breathe deeply: We tend to take shallow breaths, particularly when we are stressed or anxious. Shallow breathing limits oxygen intake and further stresses the body. Deep breathing can release body tension and relax the mind, thereby improving both physical and mental health.

5. Mindful meditation: Often our minds are so busy that we don't truly live in the moment. Pay attention to your thoughts. Are you listening to your best friend tell a joke on the surface, while

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