When life begins to feel like just a little more than you can handle, mentally repeating a few short, relaxing words can work wonders on your stress levels.
This fact has been acknowledged by researchers for quite some time: In the early 1970s, Dr. Herbert Benson, the founder of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Harvard Medical School, discovered the scientific roots for this "relaxation response." Using a mantra at times of high stress and inducing this meditative state has been proven to substantially lower cortisol levels and calm the body's fight-or-flight response.
We also know that meditation boasts a plethora of health benefits, from reducing stress to boosting the immune system. In an effort to make this calming practice even more effective, Buzzfeed BFF's Adam J. Kurtz, an artist whose work is often inspired by mental health topics, created a collection of quote cards with natural scene GIFs underneath mantras suggested by his Twitter audience.
Feeling stressed and in need of a mantra to help you calm down? Check out these seven soothing quote cards below. You'll feel relaxed in no time.
Adam J. Kurtz / BuzzFeed / StockFootageForFree.com / Via Twitter: @TheMochnacz
Adam J. Kurtz / BuzzFeed / StockFootageForFree.com / Via Twitter: @trevorjab
Adam J. Kurtz / BuzzFeed / StockFootageForFree.com / Via Twitter: @hello_mcee
Adam J. Kurtz / BuzzFeed / StockFootageForFree.com / Via Twitter: @mew416
Adam J. Kurtz / BuzzFeed / StockFootageForFree.com / Via Twitter: @ivonne1399
Adam J. Kurtz / BuzzFeed / StockFootageForFree.com / Via Twitter: @ArielKatherine
Adam J. Kurtz / BuzzFeed / StockFootageForFree.com / Via Twitter: @DaniiiMFC