What do you do when you’re having a stressful day? Do you take a walk to work it out? Do you seek out a sugary snack or your favorite comfort food? Do you put in your earbuds and try to tune it all out?

Next time you’re stressed, try popping a piece of gum instead. Recent studies show gum chewing is a unique stress-reliever that can reduce stress by up to 10 percent—that’s certainly enough to make a difference in your day.

According to study results, gum chewing reduced stress at both work and home. It also reduced fatigue as well as anxiety and depression, and resulted in a mood change for the better.

And stress relief is not the only health benefit of gum. In the past, gum chewing has been linked to increased alertness and a boost in performance among students.

Dentists recommend gum as a great way to improve your oral health—chewing sugar-free gum after meals stimulates production of saliva, which helps protect your teeth by neutralizing plaque acid and washing away food particles. Weight loss experts also suggest chewing gum instead of snacking to help with dieting and weight management.