’Tis the season to relax and recoup. Here are a few ways to release your mind and body from winter’s icy grip—just in time for National Stress Awareness Month in April.
Hug a Dog
Just call them canine stress-busters. The simple act of petting a pooch can boost your mood and lower your blood
pressure.
Flower Power
Stop and smell the spring flowers (daffodils are the traditional March flower, daisies are April) or color them—both reduce stress and hike spirits. Bonus: Some studies show happy people have a 50 percent chance of living longer.
Flowery cards and envelopes to color and send: The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Flowers and Butterflies (Nosy Crow). $11, amazon.com; out March 29
Breathe In
Turn your shower into a spa with the Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit. Three pods filled with organic essential oils snap on to your showerhead to create soothing steam. $45, uncommongoods.com
Declutter Your Mind
“The same way we’ve filled our
homes with stuff we don’t need, we’ve filled our minds with the stress of an overstuffed schedule,” says Ruth Soukup, author of Unstuffed: Decluttering
Your Home, Mind & Soul (Zondervan).
Track Your Tension
Designed by experts at Stanford, the Spire Wellness Tracker monitors stress and helps ease anxiety in real time. Download an app featuring guided breathing “experiences” from best-selling author and well-being advocate Deepak
Chopra, M.D. $150, spire.io
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