5 Weird Ways to Relax

Bake up a batch-
Um, here's the best advice you've ever gotten. Whip up a dozen chocolate chippers. The taste is pure heaven, of course, but there's also something instantly therapeutic about the aroma of just-baked cookies -- childhood, perhaps, or a memory of a bakery we loved in college. Whatever the case, baking a batch is, for one, quick (cookies only take 12 to 15 minutes to make) and it's a simple way to reduce stress.

When you're cracking the eggs, mixing the ingredients, and spooning the gooey goodness onto a cookie sheet, you can let your mind focus on happier, sweeter thoughts -- and take a moment to sniff in the sweetness.

Here's the calming catch: Up your stress-minimizing payoff by using dark chocolate chips in lieu of the milk or white variety. The dark ones offer up an added antioxidant bang, which are better for your heart and skin. If you're worried your stress might cause you to gobble up the entire batch, wrap all but a couple up and give them to a friend, neighbor or colleague -- stat. You might just help banish someone else's stress while attacking your own. Bonus. less