You've likely heard that yoga is mind-body-and-spirit satisfying, but for good measure, we'll reiterate that fact here. A session (or even a few moves) will help you refresh, inside and out, to diminish stress and create a balance of calm. If you don't have time to get to the gym, you can easily do some "home" ohm with a DVD, explains Betsy Seligman, a Chicago-based yoga instructor and creator of Yogatude. No time for even at-home yoga? Take just a minute to do some deep breathing (perfect for when you feel like you're about to explode in your cubicle). We often hold our breath when we're tense, and this will instantly help create a sense of calm.
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Mask to Look (and Feel) Marvelous
Good hair -- and skin -- add a pep to your step, agree? We sure do. To set yourself up for an amazing hair (and skin) day, treat yourself to a little TLC. Visiting a spa is one way to get your fix, for sure, but you can also DIY with a few key products that bring a spa vibe into your home (less costly and more time efficient). These are a few of our favorite face masks.
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Jot It Out
Dear diary, it's been a bad, rough, beyond exhausting day. Go ahead and laugh at this suggestion, but no joke, journaling does the trick to free your mind -- and concededly, your spirit, attitude and entire self -- of burdens that are weighing you down. Do it the way that works best for you -- typing, sketching, old-fashioned pen to paper writing. Regardless, psychologist Amy Robbins, Ph.D, recommends jotting down your feelings -- then waiting an hour or two -- and reading them aloud to help put your list of tough moments/things into perspective and gain new insight. It's a journey of self-diagnosis, more or less, and a guaranteed buster of stress.
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Shop to Detox
Retail therapy has a place in every woman's life -- when put to power properly. You don't need to spend a fortune; rather than buying a new pair of $800 platforms (if you can actually spend this much on shoes, more power to ya), treat yourself to a few simple pleasures that offer massive emotional payoff, like a new lipstick or nail polish in a playful, fun hue. Grab a pal and hit the counter (cosmetics, of course) to gab about the day's drama -- talking out your issues is a proven way to reduce stress and anxiety -- and have a little fun with makeup. No harm in that, right?
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Turn on the Tube
Is your guilty pleasure an afternoon soap? Reality show banter? Celebrity-inspired drama? Indulge, and maybe invite a friend to join in on the fun! Nothing says, "see ya" to stress like witnessing another person's mess (of a TV life). That and allowing yourself 30 minutes to absorb in television without interruption will give your brain a break, your smile a chance to crack and your heart an opportunity to feel a bit lighter. Bonus: Pour yourself a glass (just one!) of antioxidant-rich red wine to sip while you watch the whining.
Ah, women and stress, the scenarios are all too familiar; Have you been wounded by stress? Do you loathe the stressors and suffocation that stress invokes? We do too.
That's why we're committed to helping you beat the heat with these easy-to-adopt, simple moves that result in a de-stressed you -- mind and body alike. Because, according to psychologist Amy Robbins, Ph.D., who has a private practice in Chicago, where she sees plenty of women burdened by stress and anxiety, our overall appearance and feelings are directly affected by the stress we take in.
When it comes to women and stress, it "can cause your skin to have breakouts. It can make you eat too much or not eat enough. It can make you pull out your hair -- almost literally -- and can even cause you to pick at your nails and skin. When we're stressed, we start to behave in often unhealthy ways." That being said, there are things you can do -- at home, in your own space and time -- to minimize the internal and external affects of daily damners (AKA: stress). You can keep your skin and hair from feeling the pain from your stress, as well as clear your mind and spirit from the sorrow it can often bring. "Stress is a normal, common issue for all of us. But you can work through your stress in a sane and healthful way with the right know how and [by] taking some initiative," explains Dr. Robbins.
Here, six moves for women with stress to adopt so you can look incredible and feel even better --starting now.
