Introduction and objective:
Occupational stress and burnout affect over 70% of physicians globally, with rural practitioners facing additional stressors such as professional isolation, excessive workloads, and systemic under-resourcing. The aim of the review is to evaluate evidence on selected non-pharmacological stress-reduction interventions: meditation, mindfulness, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), and breathing exercises, as practical strategies for rural medical professionals.

Review methods:
A structured narrative review was conducted using PubMed and Embase for English- and Polish-language publications (2010–2025). Grey literature from recognized health institutions was also consulted. Sources were selected based on credibility, relevance, and clarity.

Brief description of the state of knowledge:
The reviewed interventions reduce perceived stress, anxiety, and depression, and induce physiological effects, including lower heart rate and blood pressure, and lower cortisol. Mindfulness-based stress reduction showed moderate to large effects and improved quality of life. PMR proved effective regardless of session duration, suiting time-constrained clinicians. Breathing exercises, including cyclic sighing and diaphragmatic breathing, produced relief within five minutes. Yoga delivered both physiological and psychological benefits, though evidence for diagnosed anxiety disorders remains limited. Immersive technologies (VR/AR) may broaden access by eliminating travel barriers.

Summary:
Non-pharmacological interventions offer safe, accessible, evidence-supported strategies for managing occupational stress among rural physicians. Methodological heterogeneity, however, limits firm conclusions; standardized large-scale randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are needed.