Which activity is listed as a way to reduce stress?

• A. Meditation
• B. Running a marathon
• C. Taking a hot bath
• D. Solving complex math problems

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is practices that actively calm the mind and regulate the body's stress response. Meditation does exactly that by training attention and promoting present-moment awareness, which leads to a relaxed physiological state. Regular meditation can lower perceived stress and reduce sympathetic nervous system activation, helping with slower breathing, lower heart rate, and reduced muscle tension. This makes it a direct, long-lasting tool for reducing stress.

While exercise has many benefits, running a marathon is an intense effort that can temporarily raise stress hormones and fatigue the body, so it isn’t a clear stress-reduction strategy. A hot bath can feel relaxing and provide short-term relief, but it doesn’t consistently build the skills to manage stress across daily situations. Solving complex math problems tends to increase cognitive load and stress in the moment.

So meditation is the best fit for reducing stress among these options.