The Ultimate Relaxation Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Ultimate Relaxation Quiz
Image: Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury/Getty

About This Quiz

What's the point of worrying? From learning relaxation techniques to discovering some strange ways to destress, it's time to chill, bro, and take a load off with this relaxation quiz.
So let's talk about what destressing does to your body. What's one lesser-known physical reaction to relaxation?
Blood flow increases to muscles.
Your pupils dilate.
Your blood pressure soars.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Circulation is improved when your body isn't stressed.

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Relaxation techniques can include:
visualization, breath control, meditation
exercise, listening to music, massage
all those things and more
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You don't have to sit staring at a wall to relax yourself.

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Why would tensing muscles progressively help a person relax?
increases lactic acid
increases awareness of physical sensations
releases hormones
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tensing muscles and then relaxing them can increase your physical knowledge.

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Visualization usually involves:
mentally imagining a calm scenario
using your senses to create feelings of calm
both
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Guided imagery — as well as tapping into your senses — can create a feeling of peace.

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What is autogenic training?
using drugs to relax
training your body to relax to words or cues
training your body to respond to peaceful music
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can try focusing on your heartbeat, or a heavy feeling in your limbs.

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What's one difference between transcendental meditation (TM) and mindful meditation?
You have to be certified to practice TM.
Mindful meditation is better for you.
TM usually involves repeating a mantra while meditating.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

TM works to rest your mind without concentrating, while mindful meditation focuses on attention and awareness of the body.

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What is an element of qigong?
karate
posture and balance
Buddhism
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Either a static or active posture is important to qigong.

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What is the basis of tai chi?
martial arts
dancing
meditation
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Originally developed for self-defense, tai chi has evolved into a gentle and meditative exercise technique.

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Yoga is often used for exercise, but includes what meditative philosophy?
to find inner peace
to control your temper
to focus on the moment
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While some yoga practices can be strenuous, they still encourage being aware and cognizant of living in the moment.

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Emotional Freedom Technique is promoted as "psychological acupressure" which can relieve stress, among a whole host of other ailments. What does it physically entail?
weeping openly
wearing tinfoil hats
tapping on parts of your body with your fingers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There isn't a lot of scientific evidence to back up claims for EFT, but hey — if it relaxes you, go for it.

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What does ASMR stand for?
A Seriously Mesmerizing Relaxation
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
A Short Massage Reflex
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oh, of course.

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But what IS ASMR?
A therapy technique that focuses on your head and feet.
Sounds or movements that cause relaxation or even "tingles."
aromatherapy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Some people report that things like whispering, personal attention or slow hand movements like tracing can make them really sleepy, relaxed or experience a pleasant tingly sensation.

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What is ganbanyoku?
bathing
sunbathing
laying on hot stones to relax
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is possible that laying down on the sidewalk in the summer would offer the same benefits.

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What is cupping?
Cups are put on the skin with suction.
having someone cup your face in their hands for relaxation
eating a cup of coconut oil to relieve stress
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

So it doesn't really sound terribly relaxing, but some point out it's not that different from massage.

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Gently pouring a liquid over the forehead is a relaxation technique in what therapy?
Freudian
Ayurveda
Cognitive Behavioral
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Indian Ayurvedic Shirodhara therapy involves slowly letting liquid drip or pour over the forehead, or third eye.

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So-called Chinese stress balls — designed to relax the hand and even the mind — are traditionally called what?
medicine balls
baoding balls
ring a ding balls
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The baoding balls supposedly target pressure spots in the hands.

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Want to sleep better? Try this Japanese product:
Ambien gummy bears
milk fortified with melatonin from well-rested cows
chocolate with small doses of crushed opioids
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Apparently, cows just waking up from sleep have more melatonin in their milk. Supposedly.

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Want to stay rested, but not subject your face to the cruel cool air? Try this:
a head tent that covers your head from the neck up
a face mask
a blanket
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The idea is to block out drafts and light. It will also block out common sense if you spend $53 on it.

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What's another real-life stress-busting product that you can actually buy for a mere $167?
Bubble wrap. $167 worth of bubble wrap.
a bed that smells like lavender
a human-shaped pillow that "communicates" with hugs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Put your phone in the Hugvie, and it will vibrate and change tone to match the voice of the caller.

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What is inhaled when you use the Relaxtick to wind down?
nicotine
chocolate
vitamins
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Vaping without the nicotine, Relaxtick supposedly has vitamins A, B and C in each inhalation. Never mind that you can't inhale vitamins for nutritional purposes.

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A spa in Israel offers a massage from what unlikely masseuse?
an octopus
a rat
a bunch of snakes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you find a lot of snakes slithering across your back relaxing … you must be a super chill person in general.

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Maybe buying a product to use or even getting a facial is too much work for relaxation. Try this easy-peasy path to relaxation:
sitting in a salt cave
watching Netflix
staring at the ceiling
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although all three would work, it's the salt cave that supposedly will cure your hangover and reduce stress, among other ailments.

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A 2001 study followed 48 people with high blood pressure and high stress jobs. What lowered their blood pressure?
washing their pillowcases once a week
eating chips between meals
adopting a dog or cat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Give Fido or Mr. Ribbons a good home, and they'll reward you with stress-busting and better health.

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What can Germans take advantage of to lower stress levels?
lots of beer
a hotline they can call to yell, scream and curse without judgment
a language that sounds aggressive
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It might not be terribly relaxing, but it will make you feel better.

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Eating complex carbs might actually relax you by:
boosting serotonin
keeping you warm
making you chew rhythmically
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Unlike protein, carbs release serotonin.

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Simple carbs:
don't release serotonin
release more serotonin
release serotonin that doesn't last as long
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

So your Sour Patch Kids are going to give you a momentary buzz, but not as long or as satisfying as a piece of whole grain toast.

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What vitamin has been shown to lower hormonal stress levels?
vitamin K
vitamin D
vitamin C
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

People who took vitamin C saw their cortisol levels return to normal faster after a stressful activity.

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People who drank what beverage four times a day for six weeks were found to have lower levels of cortisol than those who drank a placebo?
black tea
coffee
kombucha
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Black tea drinkers also de-stressed faster, so grab a cuppa to relax.

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Calcium has been shown to help with symptoms of:
cancer
PMS
general crabbiness
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If cramps and hormones aren't helping you relax, try some calcium and vitamin D.

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If you want a calm, anxiety-relieving stone to wear, you might choose:
red calcite
red Jasper
lepidolite 
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That's if you believe that crystals have any effect on the body, of course — but hey, wearing something pretty never hurt.

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You Got:
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