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The Low Down on Epsom Salts

Heather Dale — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:53:58 PDT

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 being marketed as Epsom salt-like concoctions so that they are harder for the legal authorities to track down. People who are ingesting these salts are experiencing psychological symptoms like paranoia, delusions, and panic attacks, while the physical symptoms include chest pains, sweating, nausea, nosebleeds, and vomiting. Make sure if you buy bath salts that the packaging is legitimately labeled with "Epsom salts" or "bath salts" and is from a reputable bath, body, or drug store.

Epsom salts, however, are amazing. Find out what the miracle ingredient in Epsom salts is that make them so powerful, and learn to create the perfect Epsom salts bath.

The Soothing Power of a Mother's Voice

FitSugar — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:00:05 PDT

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 who were comforted by their mothers over the phone. Nice to know that loving words can soothe almost as much as a hug. The girls involved in the study were all under 12 years of age and had yet to enter the volatile teenage years when mother-daughter relationships can become emotionally fraught. Next time you feel stressed, dial the phone to find comfort in a loving voice. If calling your mother is anxiety producing, skip that call and dial a friend. Who is on your emotional support speed dial list?

Got Wedding Planning Stress? 6 Ways to Chill

FitSugar — Sat, 08 May 2010 03:30:10 PDT

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 and calm under all the pressure.

Make a Gratitude List	Stretch in Bed	Play With a Pet
Do Repetitive Exercise	Chill Out With Some Tunes	Make Your Own Coffee Scrub

New brides, pay attention! All week long we'll be bringing you tips on how to prepare your body for the big day. But we want to hear what you've been doing to stay in shape, too. Head over to the FitSugar Community and post your wedding workout tips, or, if you're already hitched, how did you get healthy for your big day?

Relax Already: Take a Trip Down Memory Lane

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:30:09 PDT

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 one Summer sets my mind at ease and makes me forget about ever being upset in the first place. It works with scrapbooks, old letters, and cards as well. The next time you're feeling stressed or blue, take a trip down memory lane and it's sure to lift your spirits.

Relax Already: Get Juvenile

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:23 PST

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 better deal with those adult issues. Here are some ideas:

Color, draw, paint, or knit. Do something crafty with your hands.
Play with your pet.
If it's nice out, enjoy the sunshine and the wind in your face with a bike ride. Don't forget your helmet!
Swing or play in a park.
If there's still snow where you live, go sledding or make a snowman.
Join a kickball team.
Read a kids' book or other easy read.
Play with a child - a good game of foursquare relieves a lot of stress.
Turn up some music and dance around the house.
Bake something scrumptious.

Meditate For a Healthy Heart

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:31 PST

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 practice of TM doesn't just help your psychological well-being; it has also been shown to have significant therapeutic effects on people at high risk for heart attacks. A recent study, which followed 200 patients for five years, reveals that "the high-risk patients who meditated cut their risk of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from all causes roughly in half compared with a group of similar patients who were given more conventional education about healthy diet and lifestyle."

According to Dr. Robert Schneider, director of the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention, who presented the study's findings, TM's ability to help reduce blood pressure is essential to helping prevent heart attacks and heart complications, “We found reduced blood pressure that was significant – that was probably one important mediator," claims Schneider.

TM is also easy to learn and practice - it doesn't require specific education, and from my own experience, I totally agree with Dr. Schneider - "it's a straightforward technique for getting deep rest to the mind and body."

Relax Already: With Soothing Music

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:00:35 PDT

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 tea or doing some gentle stretching.

To hear this soothing playlist keep reading

Relax Already: Try Reiki

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:30:36 PDT

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 healing therapy. The word Reiki translates to "spiritually guided life force energy." It's based on the idea that life force energy flows through us and around us (our aura), and it's what nourishes our organs and cells. When the flow of energy is disrupted, that's when emotional and physical issues arise.

A Reiki treatment feels somewhat like getting a massage, although there is minimal touching if any at all. As you lie on a comfy table, the practitioner will place her hands on various areas of your body, but often holds the hands a few centimeters above the body. The hands are kept still for a few minutes before moving to the next position, usually involving the head, front and back of the torso, knees and feet. A session usually lasts about an hour or an hour and a half.

I know it doesn't seem like much is going on, but Reiki practitioners are believed to have the ability and intuition to balance a person's life force energy. Not only does a Reiki session completely relax you (like you've just slept for 12 hours straight), but it can also be used to heal the body. I've experienced Reiki when I broke my thumb, and I swear, it helped relieve my pain.

Have any of you ever tried Reiki?

Wikipedia

Relax Already: Get Out of Your Brain

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:30:25 PDT

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 stimulate another part of your brain. Challenging exercises, be they multitasking moves or short and speedy interval workouts, are a great way to distract a busy brain and release some much-needed endorphins. Stop the worrying by saddling your brain with a creative project or try a new recipe. Engaging other parts of your gray matter is a great way to stop obsessing, and maybe you will even be able to solve your problem by letting it go for a bit.

Relax Already: Make a Cup of Tea

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:00:32 PDT

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 calm and help you recharge so you have energy to tackle the rest of your day.