The sight of the sea is the quickest and most effective way to reduce high stress levels while for many people a walk in the park could be as refreshing, a survey has found. A poll of 2,000 adults by Hoegaarden found daily stress is a problem for 30 percent of the population, BBC health website said.
However, 84 percent said being in contact with the natural elements made them feel more relaxed instantly. Other popular stress busters included a walk in the park, the smell of cut grass and the sound of birds singing.
The most often cited causes of stress included the morning commute (13 percent), work itself (32 percent) and simply getting up (14 percent). Just 19 percent of those who live or work in rural locations say they feel stressed on a daily basis.
Christine Webber, who worked on the report, said the fact that people in urban areas seldom interacted with the natural environment had led to rising stress levels.