Those TV shows featuring people's home videos of their pets' antics? They may actually be good for more than just a laugh.

Watching videos of animal life may help you beat stress. In a study, people who watched 10 minutes of scaly, feathered, or furry footage experienced dips in both heart rate and blood pressure.

Be Prepared
Got a stressful event coming up, like an unpleasant dental procedure or a tough meeting at work? Watch a few minutes of a wildlife show before heading out of the house. After 10 minutes, you'll not only have reduced your heart rate and blood pressure, but you'll also have created a buffer against the physical effects of your upcoming nail-biter. The sound doesn't even have to be on in order for you to reap the calming benefits of the video.

More Stress-Cutting Strategies
If images of four-legged friends don't do the trick, here are some other relaxation strategies to try.

• Deep breathing
• Meditation
• Eating right