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clockOne-Minute Stress Strategies

These one-minute stress strategies are simple, and they can make a real difference in how you handle stress. Try them!

Tension release:  Tense your muscles, one area at a time, and enjoy the relaxation upon release.

  • Take a deep breath and hold it as you curl your toes for about 5 seconds, then let your breath go all at once. Don't ease off — let go completely!
  • Next clench your calves, thighs, buttocks, arms, shoulders, jaws and finally squeeze your eyelids.
  • Feel the tension leave your body — aaah!

Deep breathing:  When tense, we often breathe from the upper chest. A full, deep breath helps relieve tension.

  • Take a deep breath, letting your abdomen expand fully.
  • Hold it for about 3 seconds.
  • Let your breath out all at once (with a sigh if you want).
  • As you exhale, relax your jaw and shoulders. Think calm…

Focused breathing:  When our minds are filled with stressful thoughts, our bodies become stressed. Focusing on body processes can help calm mental activity, which in turn can result in physical relaxation. This technique will help you take a break from stressful thoughts.

  • With your eyes closed, shift your attention to the tip of your nose.
  • As you breathe in, become aware of the air entering your nostrils.
  • As you breathe out, be aware of the sensations of air passing back out. Do this several times.
  • Repeat several times: breathe in… breathe out… breathe in… breathe out…

Ideal relaxation:  Picture a place (real or imagined) where you can be totally relaxed.

  • With your eyes closed, take a moment to visualize an ideal place to relax. Make it any place attractive to you.
  • Using all senses, feel yourself in comfortable clothes, hear pleasant sounds, see beautiful colors.
  • Visit this spot whenever you need to relax. Take a mini-vacation!

For more information:

MI Talk is a website for UM students with mental health resources such as online screenings for depression and anxiety, skill-building tools, and recorded workshops, lectures and relaxation exercises.

UM Counseling and Psychological Services is students' primary campus resource for mental health services.

UM University Health Service provides medication management of common mental health issues. 734-764-8320

UM Mental Health Resources links to campus and local resources.

Resources for Stress and Mental Health lists additional campus, local and national resources.