By Kumar Da | Hopium Health
It’s May—Mental Health Awareness Month—which makes it the perfect time to talk about stress. Because here’s the thing about stress: a little bit can be motivating, but too much? Well, let’s just say your brain isn’t exactly sending you a thank-you card.
In fact, chronic stress has been linked to cognitive impairment and a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. A 2023 study involving more than 1.3 million people in Sweden found that continuous stress isn’t just tiring—it’s literally wearing out your brain faster .
The good news? Stress relief doesn’t need to be complicated. It can actually be fun.
Here are seven simple, joyful, science-backed stress-busters you can start today.
1. Take a “Green Break”
Even short visits to green spaces can dial down stress. Parks, gardens, or just walking under trees can boost mood, improve focus, and lower cortisol (the “stress hormone”) .
Hopium tip: Turn your coffee break into a green break and sip in peace under a tree. Nature doesn’t judge your caffeine intake.
2. Watch Something Funny
Science agrees: laughter is powerful medicine. Just a few minutes of belly-laughing lowers blood pressure, relaxes muscles, cuts cortisol levels, and boosts your mood .
Hopium tip: Bookmark a favorite comedian’s YouTube channel. Five minutes a day = stress away.
3. Gentle Yoga (No Headstands Required)
In a 2022 study of adults aged 65–80, gentle Hatha yoga twice a week significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and even improved sleep . No need to twist yourself into a pretzel—basic stretches will do.
Hopium tip: Search “beginner yoga” on YouTube. Stretch, breathe, relax. You got this.
4. Get Your Hands Dirty (In the Garden)
Gardening is therapy disguised as yard work. According to a 2024 study in Nutrition Journal, gardening not only reduces stress but may also help protect against cognitive decline and dementia .
Hopium tip: Start small. Plant herbs in pots. Nurture them, nurture you.
5. Pet Your Pet (Or Someone Else’s)
Stroking your furry friend is proven to lower stress and blood pressure. Older adults who own pets score higher on cognitive tests than non-pet owners, according to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Aging and Health .
Hopium tip: Don’t have a pet? Volunteer at a local shelter. Instant fur therapy.
6. Color Yourself Calm
Adult coloring books aren’t just trendy—they’re scientifically soothing. Coloring engages your brain just enough to distract it from stress, without any artistic pressure .
Hopium tip: Keep pencils and a coloring book handy for stressful conference calls. Doodle your way to calm.
7. Volunteer (It’s Good for the Soul)
Helping others can transform your mood and outlook. People who volunteer regularly report greater life satisfaction and emotional well-being .
Hopium tip: Offer to help a friend, neighbor, or join a community effort. Good deeds = great mental health.
The Hopium Health Bottom Line
Mental health isn’t complicated—but it does take attention. These simple stress-busters don’t just lower anxiety, they actively improve your brain health and quality of life.
So laugh more, pet a dog, plant a garden, and maybe color outside the lines occasionally. Your brain (and your mood) will thank you.
Happy Mental Health Awareness Month, friends. Let’s make relaxation a habit, not a special occasion.
— Kumar Da & the Hopium Health happiness team
