Calm Me Down Trivia Quiz

Answer: No

While many may, wrongly, attribute meditation to simple breathing exercises, it's actually a much more psychological process in which a person focuses their energy and concentration to find inner stability and restfulness. Although this won't necessarily work on your first try (we are, after all, stressful creatures), consistent attempts may lead you to aligning your chi. Meditation is typically associated with Buddhist practice, but sitting down and crossing your legs in front of some incense isn't the only way to do it.

In fact, many meditate by simply finding a quiet place, focusing for several minutes, and pulling the stressful stuff out of their minds.

Answer: Crouching Tiger

There are many different forms of yoga each bringing their own styles and poses into the mix, but most of them derive from Hindu beliefs and teachings. More physical than simple meditation, the implementation of yoga into one's schedule can increase fitness, flexibility, balance, and mental well-being. Looking for something calming? Then yoga, like tai chi and other zen wellness techniques, may just hit the spot. If you're looking purely for physical fitness, it should still fit the bill.

Downward Facing Dog is performed when both the hands and feet are on the floor; your body bends at the hips to form a right angle. One-Legged King Pigeon is performed by stretching one leg out in front and pulling the other to the back of your head, puffing the chest outward. The Lotus is the epitome of a meditative pose; you sit cross-legged-- feet on top.

Answer: Catnip

Although catnip (nepeta cataria) can drive your felines bonkers (and perhaps agitate you even more) it does the opposite for humans. Like many mint teas, catnip has a calming effect which can act as a sleep aid, improve wellness, and make you feel better-- physically-- all around.

While medicinal use of catnip has fallen out of favour it's still seen in tea. If you'd rather stick with the standards, mint, ginseng, chamomile, and lavender are all popular stress-reducing tea blends.

Answer: Bongo

Bongos are percussion instruments, the types played by striking them to make music; they fall into the same category as other drums, chimes, cymbals, and cowbells. These typically aren't calming instruments because the crash, boom, and bang of a percussion item simply doesn't facilitate melodic sound; usually it's used to add a basic beat or flare to a song. You'd be likely to hear it in rock and roll music, metal, or pop songs (which isn't to say you wouldn't hear it in an orchestra-- just not to the same extent).

More calming instruments would likely fall into the strings and woodwinds simply because of their tendency to play in soothing ways-- the flutter of a clarinet or the plucking of a harp is much softer than the beating of a drum. Of course, pounding some drums may relieve stress, but that's something else.

Answer: Blue

Hotter colours like red and orange would probably only serve to make you more angry than necessary. While red is considered the colour of love, it's also considered a colour of hate, range, and anger, and studies show that it's possibly the most stimulating on the spectrum. We tend to associate it with stress a great deal, and if someone is, proverbially, "seeing red", they're maddened with rage.

Blue, on the other hand, is considered a mindful colour and while red is hot, blue is cool and soothing. Although many associate blue with sadness it's also the colour of the sea and the sky. By all means it's a meditative colour. Green and Violet are also considered more zen-inspiring colours.

Answer: Squish it

Stress balls we first marketed as such many decades ago but over the years they progressed from being a stress-relieving tool to a bit of a novelty item, and it wouldn't be out of place to see one shaped like a business mascot or something outlandish (and that may cause more ire). But the point is simple. Since it's made of either squishy plastic or another soft material it can be kneaded with a single hand to reduce stress; you're effectively taking out the bad vibes on the ball itself.

Take it from me though-- you're too stressed for the ball if you happen to burst it.

Answer: Fingers

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage which uses hands to hit pressure points and provide physical therapy. Many people find this type of thing relaxing but, if your body is tense or injured, it may prove to be a bit painful as well as they hands are used to work out knots and problem areas.

Although shiatsu is only one form of massage, the basic principle is the same; the technique is used to calm the body and make you feel better physically and mentally. This can range from a simple surface rub to a really deep tissue massage. Techniques used in massage have been around for thousands of years, since ancient times, in most civilizations.

Answer: Manicure

Sometimes going out of your way to pamper yourself is the best way to reduce stress, and the modern spa epitomizes pampering and luxury (well...in most cases). At a spa you can simply sit in a sauna or mud bath and relax your problems away, receive a manicure or pedicure (for hands and feet), get a massage, tan, or simply spend time with friends.

While many salons nowadays offer the same services at lower prices, day spas are just as popular. Some locations around the world pride themselves on spa environments-- maybe a vacation is in order?

Answer: Stephen King

In 1999, Stephen King was hit by a car while walking down a street in Maine. During his time in the hospital, as therapy, he decided to write his twenty-sixth novel, "Dreamcatcher", by hand. The novel was released two years later and, while not his most popular, it started King on the path to completing his long-sitting "Dark Tower" series. He released books five, six, and seven in subsequent years, finishing his magnum opus as a result.

Art, music, and writing (amongst other hobbies) are considered therapeutic releases for many. Rather than stress out, why not embark on a venture you enjoy?

Answer: True

If you're not happy, feigning happiness will actually make you feel better. Say what?

Well, yeah. Smiling, or fake smiling, or even looking at an image of someone smiling, allows your brain to release endorphins. Endorphins are neurotransmitters which, all in all, allow people to feel better. Smiling isn't the only way to get them though-- exercising causes endorphins to be released. So does eating spicy things. So does pregnancy.

But smiling is the easiest one and the most affecting since it affects you and everyone around you. Cheer up!