During these trying times, it’s important to remain positive, healthy, and happy. Liberty Harbor East would like to remind everyone that April 16th is National Stress Awareness Day.
National Stress Awareness Day is the day after Tax Day, or April 15th. It was created to remind Americans how stressful taxes, work, and other demands can be. National Stress Awareness Day is a reminder that stress can be harmful to our health and that it’s important to destress and refresh.
Below are ways that you can destress at home in the midst of this pandemic for National Stress Awareness Day and beyond.
Sit Back And Color
That’s right, coloring isn’t just for children. Studies have shown that adult
coloring relaxes the amygdala: the control center for stress, fear, and anxiety. Besides relaxation, coloring improves creativity, motor skills, vision, focus, awareness, and overall quality of sleep.
Shop local with
aMuse Toys and check out their amazing selection of coloring books, posters, and more. We recommend
What a Colorful World—a large poster of a world map. Celebrate cultural diversity with this fun coloring adventure! Purchase it
here.
Find Your Center With Yoga
According to the
American Osteopathic Association, yoga sharpens concentration and improves attention. It also alleviates anxiety, stress, uncertainty, insomnia, and chronic pain. The physical benefits of yoga include, but are not limited to: improved respiration, cardiac health, flexibility, metabolism, and blood pressure.
Support local yoga studios around Baltimore and help ease your stress with these great virtual options:
Core Power Yoga if offering free, on-demand classes on their
website. There are also special member-only classes.
Free Baltimore Yoga will be taking their classes online. You can follow a
30-minute surrender yoga flow with Emily Fleming. Check their
Facebook page for virtual sessions Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. and Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m.
Mpower Yoga has created a full live streaming schedule with your favorite instructors throughout the month of April. Sign up and view classes
here.
YogaWorks is offering access to their online platform,
MyYogaWorks, for free until further notice with code ONLINE.
Clear Your Mind With Meditation
Studies have shown the
benefits of meditation include reducing internal/external stresses and improving emotional health, self-awareness, memory, attention, and sleep.
Local studio
The Movement Lab offers mind-body classes to improve overall mental and bodily health. They’re currently offering online sessions and videos on their
Facebook page.
Practice
Mind Body Spirit Flow with James,
Live Breath and Gong Work with David, or
Moon Mantras, Movements, and Meditations with Kimberly Moon.
You can view their upcoming virtual events
here.
Take A Walk
While we are all doing our part by staying home as much as we can, it’s important to get some fresh air and explore nature.
Going on a walk not only burns calories, but also reduces stress, high blood pressure, and bodily aches—walking is an important part of improving circulation, immunity, and overall cardiac health.
We encourage residents to
wear a face covering and take a walk along the promenade right here in Harbor East to enjoy the stunning harbor views.
Looking for more nature? Expansive
Patterson Park is nearby with plenty of different paths—perfect for exploration and relaxation.
Treat Yourself With An At-Home Spa Day
We can’t say it enough...self-care is important! While spas and salons are closed, you can pamper yourself at home.
Here’s
How to Have a Spa Day at Home: Break out the slippers and/or fluffy towels, and infuse cucumbers and citrus, (or berries and mint), into chilled water. Then, get to DIY-ing a face mask, hand mask, foot soak, and hair mask.
Afterwards, prep a bath for a full-body soak. Even though Lush Harbor East is temporarily closed, you can still order bath bombs, massage bars, bath oils, and lotions
online!
De-Stress With Aromatherapy
Candles are relaxing with their soothing scents, warmth, and soft lighting. They are known to reduce stress, improve energy, and enhance clarity.
Support local and
shop KSM candles for relaxation. Or, participate in a
virtual candle-making workshop.
Interested in essential oils? Lavender, Bergamot, Lemongrass, Neroli, Yuzu, Orange, Ylang Ylang, and Frankincense oils can alleviate stress and reduce anxiety. For more information, learn more
here.
You can
add essential oils to your grocery order from our local Harbor East Whole foods.
We hope that everyone can destress and take a bit of time for themselves during COVID-19.