Epsom salts, my favorite soothing bath crystals, are getting quite the bad rap lately. Are they no longer delivering their promised soothing, sleep inducing, muscle relaxing benefits? Um, not exactly. The "bath salts" that have been tested positive for having a similar molecular makeup as ecstasy and methamphetamine are not actual Epsom salts. What's happening is that these fake bath salts are Read more

We have long known that a loving touch can soothe a stressed out child, but recent research found that hearing a mother's voice over the phone can have almost the same effect. A recent study found that after a stressful episode the feel good brain chemical oxytocin rose and stress hormone cortisol fell in almost equal amounts in both girls who were physically comforted by their mothers and girls Read more

The florist can't get gerbera daisies in fuchsia, your maid of honor's dress came in three sizes too small, one of the members in your string quartet just left the country, and your invitations were printed saying Jenny and Nike instead of Jenny and Mike. Don't stress. Every bride suffers from a few ups and downs throughout the wedding planning process. Here are some ways to help you stay cool Read more

When I'm stressed out, anxious, or upset about something, sometimes a hot bath or cup of tea just won't do the trick. One stress-relieving technique I've found that's sure to calm my nerves and put a smile on my face is to take out some old photo albums and slowly peruse the pages. Seeing pictures of my grandma baking a cake, my husband and I on our honeymoon, and the enormous zucchini I grew Read more

Now that I'm an adult, I often think back to the days when I was a carefree little girl and the only things I had to worry about were which color dress to wear to school and where to get enough blankets to make a fort. When life's stresses get me down now, I take a cue from my girls and play like a kid. It really helps take my mind off frustrating grownup problems and calms me down so I can Read more

My father introduced TM (transcendental meditation) to me my senior year of high school as a way to unwind, relax, and fight stress as I headed off to college. Since then, I've always felt lucky to know a kind of secret way to recharge my batteries, without needing a nap. But I was surprised to learn that practicing meditation has another heath benefit for your heart. It turns out regular Read more

Music has the power to soothe the soul. So even on days when you forget to set your alarm clock, accidentally wash your cellphone in the laundry, or get home from work and immediately step in your cat's throw-up, hearing some calming melodies is sure to clear your mind of the day's troubles. Here are some of my favorite tranquil tunes, so you can listen while taking a bath, sipping a cup of hot Read more

After being laid off and collecting unemployment for a few weeks, an amazing career opportunity has just fallen into your lap, and you have a job interview tomorrow. Needless to say, you're anxious and stressed, and it's nothing a hot bath or cup of tea can handle. A Reiki session could be just the thing to calm your nerves and release tension from your tight muscles. Reiki is a type of Japanese Read more

Sometimes stress brings with it a never-ending tape loop of worries. Once the litany begins, it's hard to quiet it down. I find the best way to battle my tireless tape loop is to get out of my brain or change my focus. It is said that depression-prone women tend to ruminate over their problems, mentally picking them apart repeatedly. The best defense against rehashing the situation is to Read more

Stress is a common phenomenon of a hectic workday, when everything speeds up to an unmanageable pace. To help slow things down and relax a bit, brew a cup of tea. This simple action can create profound results. Unlike chugging an ice-cold drink, sipping something hot takes time and a bit of patience. A cup of herbal tea like chamomile, known for its relaxing qualities, can provide a moment of Read more