SEE YA, STRESS!

Sometimes the world just seems bonkers and out of our control, and yes, that can sure exacerbate any stress you're feeling in your day-to-day life. But you can do something about it: Take steps to tidy up the messiness in your own mind. By addressing nagging worries and injecting your life with a shot of simplicity, you can open up space for more love, optimism, and joy. To help, we've got 16 ways to feel calmer-fast.

- MARISA COHEN

1 FORGIVE SOMEONE.

Still nursing a wound from a wedding invite snub years ago? Consider shedding that burden. "Sometimes you may fear that you're 'giving in' if you let go of a grudge, but you're just providing yourself the opportunity not to let the past affect your future," says Elana Miller, M.D., an integrative psychiatrist in Los Angeles. The act of forgiveness helps you move on, and research shows that it can also lower levels of anxiety and stress.

2 LISTEN TO TUNES  YOU LOVE.

Listening to music with the intention of relaxing helped lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in college students during exams and led them to report feeling less stressed, says a study in Psychoneuroendocrinology. Energizing music had the opposite effect-but in general, listening to something enjoyable seemed to be very important. So if bouncy music is your jam, it may just help your muscles unclench.

3 Slowly sip tea.

Cradling a cup of tea in your hands can make you feel cozy and at peace, and being mindful can boost the benefits, says New York City-based meditation instructor Kirat Randhawa. "Notice the color of the tea, the shape of the mug, the scent, the taste, and how it feels in your body," she says. Teas brewed with calming herbs like chamomile, lavender, and cornflower can make an extra-relaxing brew.

4 Get that worrisome "thing" checked out.

You know, that mole, pain, or bump that you tell yourself is nothing (you're probably right!) but you're not 100% sure about? Such concerns can gnaw at you, and research tells us that uncertainty is a lot more stressful than knowing what to expect, good or bad. So have a doctor look at it already! "Often what seems like a big deal for you is routine for your doctor-they've seen it all and can take some of the worry off your plate," says Dr. Miller.

5 TAKE ONE SMALL ACTION.