"It could be having a cup of tea and noticing its warmth in your hands, the scent of the tea, and the way it feels going down your throat," Dr.
Take a mindfulness break. Being mindful helps elicit the relaxation response by bringing you to the present moment; it can break a cycle of stressful thoughts. It’s like a real-time imagery exercise: you note all of your senses as you do something soothing. "It could be having a cup of tea and noticing its warmth in your hands, the scent of the tea, and the way it feels going down your throat," Dr. Ramchandani says, "Or it could be taking a mindful shower or a leisurely and mindful walk through nature."