The benefits of walking, however, last longer. Participants in Thayer's studies reported feeling more energetic and upbeat an hour after walking and reported the positive effects lingered two hours later. So the next time your peace of mind is threatened, invest 10 minutes to turn it around. Use music to soothe. Eighteenth-century German author Johann Paul Friedrich Richter noted the power of music upon the human spirit.
Today there is scientific evidence that music can soothe frayed nerves.
At Baltimore's St. Agnes Hospital, classical music was provided in the intensive-care units. Some patients who had been awake for three or four straight days were able to go into a deep sleep. Other studies show music can lower blood pressure, basal metabolism and respiration rates, thereby lessening physiological responses to stress. To increase serenity, think about music that you truly enjoy and find calming and make a point of listening to that music during times of high stress. Employ the therapy of laughter.