stress-management Strategies For Students: The Immediate Effects Of Yoga, Humor, And Reading On Stress

This study compared the immediate stress-reducing effects of yoga, humor, and reading among 22 graduate health science students. Each intervention lasted 30 minutes, with participants completing all three interventions over three weeks. Results showed that all interventions significantly reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and stress as measured by the Daily Stress Inventory, with no single method proving superior. These findings highlight yoga, humor, and reading as effective, simple, and quick strategies to alleviate acute stress, making them accessible tools for managing stress in high-pressure environments like academic programs.

Incorporate 30-minute sessions of yoga, humor (e.g., watching comedy), or reading into your routine to quickly reduce stress. This study demonstrates that these methods effectively lower blood pressure, heart rate, and perceived stress, making them valuable for acute stress relief. However, the research focuses on short-term effects in a small, homogenous group. Pair these strategies with long-term stress-management approaches for comprehensive mental health benefits.