3 Surprising Ways To Smash Stress

These fresh ideas don't require a ton of work.

By
Published September 04, 2026
Pair of black boxing gloves positioned on a bright purple background with yellow graphic bursts
AARP (Toby McFarlan Pond/Trunk Archive)

In my 30 years as a women’s health writer, I’ve covered stress more than nearly any other topic. Pregnancy stress, pandemic stress, menopause stress, stress over current events — I’ve even written about the stress of worrying that you can’t de-stress.

Many of these articles have included nods to mindfulness and meditation, exercise and, of course, the clichéd “Take a bath” tip. These are backed by oodles of science, but sometimes they feel like a lot of work. (The bubble bath one can feel downright triggering. Like, if I had time to marinate in a tub of warm water, I probably wouldn’t be so stressed.) Keep reading for fresher, more playful strategies that feel more like an effortless ahhh.

Strategy 1: Play with puppies.

Furry friends are beneficial for human health — petting them lowers blood pressure. They also provide unconditional love, and animal interaction is a science-backed antidote to loneliness. But not everyone has the bandwidth to own a dog or cat.

Enter: Puppy yoga. Classes like Puppy Yoga Club have sprung up across the country, inviting you to do a Downward Dog while impossibly cute cockerdoodles or four-pound Frenchies bounce around you. I recently brought my teen and tween daughters to Puppy Yoga Club in Chicago during a particularly stressful week and I’m not exaggerating when I say that all three of us entered a state of worry-free bliss as pocket-sized pugs climbed into our laps as we attempted to stretch and deep-breathe our way through class. (I say “attempted to” because the truth is very little yoga was accomplished.)

This may have to do with puppies’ magical ability to live in the moment. “They aren't concerned about tomorrow's meeting or yesterday's mistake,” the folks at Puppy Yoga Club write on their website. Unlike humans and our anxiety (worries about the future) or depression (which often involves dwelling on past events), floofy little pets focus “almost entirely on what's happening right now. And when we interact with them, they have a remarkable ability to pull us into that same state.”

No puppy yoga nearby? Why not grab a girlfriend and have brunch with some alpacas, craft coffee with llamas, a sound bath with horses, or dirty soda while you cuddle baby cows. (Just ask ChatGPT for links to hands-on animal experiences near you.) Other ways to get a quick pet hit include volunteering at a local animal shelter, offering to walk or dog sit a neighbor’s pup, or fostering a pet.

Strategy 2: Go glamping.

Working and shopping from home sure is convenient, but it’s resulting in us becoming increasingly disconnected from nature ... and all the health perks that come from spending time in the great outdoors. Among them: A calmer nervous system, less anxiety, improved cognitive and immune functioning, sounder sleep, and much more.

Camping has long been hailed as an enjoyable way to capitalize on all of those benefits. More than 52 million North American households camped in 2025, with nearly two-thirds of campers saying their top travel goal is to slow down and be in the moment, per the 2026 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report. Personally, I love the *idea* of camping — Breathtaking hikes! Digital detox! S'mores! But if I’m being honest, thoughts of sleeping bags, bugs, and porta-potties threaten to cancel out the stress-relieving benefits of rising with the sun and breathing in healthy tree compounds.

Glamorous camping, a.k.a. glamping, lets you access the mental health benefits of uninterrupted time in nature without having to sleep on the ground or pee in the bushes. Indulge in your favorite outdoor activities all day, then retreat to an air-conditioned, safari-style tent, heated yurt, or stargazing dome. At Under Canvas, a glamping company with camps near some of the nation’s most iconic bucket list destinations, like Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, glampers “spend their days immersed in nature, exploring the outdoors, and disconnecting from the constant pull of technology,” says Molly Donnelly, Under Canvas’ Director of Brand Marketing and Communications. Come nightfall, you’ve got a plush West Elm-appointed king-size bed and a private ensuite bathroom with hot running water. Many companies offer girlfriend getaway glamping packages, too.

Why not glamp for your next girlfriend getaway? At Fields of Michigan, you and your crew can pick blueberries, enjoy communal Supper Club dinners overlooking the berry fields, and relax around a fire before retiring to your cozy cottage or upscale field tent. And at Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge (near Oregon’s Mount Hood), an Adventure Concierge can arrange a morning paddleboard adventure or a bike ride, followed by an afternoon winery tour.

Strategy 3: Take a bath. (For real this time.)

For years, every time a magazine article or self-care influencer encouraged me to unwind with a warm bath at the end of the day, I’d feel wholly unseen. The only bath scenario that seemed remotely realistic were those “How’s perimenopause going?” Instagram videos where a harried mom pretends to drop a toaster into her bath while the "Full House" theme song cheerfully plays.

It wasn’t until 2026, when my frazzled nervous system finally hit its limit after 50 years, that I finally started viewing baths as medicine. My therapist literally wrote me a prescription to take a damn bath, seeing as how years of therapy, medication, meditation, exercise, yoga, and self-help books weren’t moving the needle on my decades-long “Calm down” goal. Maybe doing something that felt less “try-hard” might work?

My first soak felt overly self-indulgent; I chastised myself for wasting time by lying in a vat of hot water. For my second attempt, I brought a glass of wine and cued up "Hunting Wives" on my phone.

(Admittedly, if you have young kids, this is far easier on nights when someone else can occupy them while you relax.) I started to get the hang of it by the third one, and baths are now just as much a part of my routine as exercise. My personal formula includes lavender Epsom salts for sore muscles, a book or trashy TV show (a friend even gave me a waterproof phone case for my 50th birthday), and permission to let myself just disappear for a while. After years of diligently but unsuccessfully chasing calm, I’ve found that the passive nature of a bath was what I needed to help dial down my nervous system. If you can swing it, my therapist and I highly recommend giving it a chance.

How do YOU de-stress? Let us know in the comments below.

Leslie Goldman is a Chicago-based writer who covers all things health, wellness, women and parenting. She is a regular contributor to AARP's TheGirlfriend.com, as well as O: The Oprah Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Parents and more. Her grandfather invented jogging, and Beyonce once touched her elbow. Read more of her work at lesliegoldmanwrites.com.