STRESSED OUT?

Sometimes, nothing fixes your mood like some ice-cream. Psych!

- BY LAKSHANAN PALAT

That's what we wish doctors would say grab that tub of comfort and munch your way through your deadlines while emails stack up like Jenga bricks. But alas, the real fix isn't buried at the bottom of a dessert cup. And while a weekend retreat or week-long vacation sounds like the perfect antidote, stress doesn't exactly wait for your next getaway.

Here's the good news: You don't need to carve out hours to feel calmer. Science says just five minutes can make a real difference.

That's right you can activate your body's own built-in stress relief systems in the time it takes to scroll your feed. The key? Adopt small habits that speak your body's language of calm.

Abu Dhabi-based corporate wellness mentor Cordelia Kane and Fiona Crenshaw, a Dubai-based physician offer some advice on how you can reduce stress in just five minutes.

PRACTISE DEEP BREATHING: ACTIVATE YOUR BODY'S RELAXATION RESPONSE

Deep breathing is one of the quickest ways to signal to your brain that it's time to relax. When you're stressed, your body enters a 'fight or flight' response, activating the sympathetic nervous system. But you can counteract this with deep diaphragmatic breathing, which triggers the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system).

How to do it:

■ Sit or stand comfortably.

■ Breathe in deeply through your nose for a count of four.

■ Hold the breath for a count of four.

■ Slowly exhale through your mouth for a count of four.

■ Repeat for 5 minutes.