Sing a happy tune, or any tune— not only does singing decrease cortisol levels, but belting out a ballad is a more effective stress reliever than just listening to one. Why? We’re creatures of rhythm, so anything that introduces rhythm to our lives calms us down. We have comforting memories associated with songs, and singing distracts you and breaks you out of your worry loop. 

Do this: Turn up your favorite tunes and sing along in your car or while cleaning the house. With any luck, the traffic—and maybe even the mess—will soon feel less like a big problem and more like just another little bump in your daily road.  Need some suggestions on tunes?  Turn on some Bob Marley. Reggae music mellows out even the most stressed person and singing along to Marley’s positive lyrics is a sure way to brighten your day.  Or, create a Soul II Soul playlist in Pandora…trust me, you’ll totally start to groove wherever you are and should be able to happily sing along!