Have to ever used ice to relieve stress? If not, give it a try!
Each one of us reacts to stress differently. If you are like me, you reach for comfort food, or you may have your own coping mechanism by now. Whatever it is, chances are that it’s not helping and you may not have been able to regulate your emotions. That in turn means that you can’t problem-solve effectively. So, here’s a little tip for relieving stress from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Use cold to calm down!
How?
Carefully hold your breath and dip your face in a bowl of cold water.
OR
Put an ice pack on the back of your neck/ eyes and cheeks. Hold it in place for at least 30 seconds. Keep breathing at an even pace. If you don’t have an ice pack, use a bag of frozen peas.
OR
You may also just wash your upper arm in cold water.
Why this works?
Cooling the skin activates the Mammalian Diving Reflex, which is a natural reaction in mammals. The reflex causes heart rate to drop, and the parasympathetic nervous system to get activated. This brings relaxation.
So, next time when you are stressed, just chill! Literally!