Stress Less in 2013

It may seem like no matter what you do to attempt to relax—yoga, massage, dance classes, drinking green tea—you still feeling insanely stressed out. To help you start the New Year off properly, here are some tips on how to slow down and stress less.

1. Slow yourself down, if only for a couple minutes.

Being stressed out affects our everyday life in surprising ways. When you’re stressed, you may feel restless, anxious, and have difficulty concentrating. It doesn’t help that our society constantly pressures us to move quickly and be available on our iPhone 24/7. It’s time to tune out. During your lunch break, shut off your phone, step away from your desk, and really focus on what you’re eating. Take smaller bites, and breathe deeply. In the afternoon, if you’re craving sugar, go for a brisk walk instead. Use that time to focus in on your surroundings. When you return to your desk, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and more energized.

2. Don’t do activities that feel like a chore.

We're not suggesting you stop writing papers or going to classes, but stop doing the things you have control over. Is serving on a board feeling more draining than enjoyable? Resign. Do you have a toxic frenemy? Distance yourself from her. If your job is no longer rewarding or enjoyable, update your resume and start looking. When you fix the situations that are troubling you, you'll feel stronger. Reclaim your power.

3. Try something new.

It’s the start of a New Year, and what better time to start a different activity? Whether it’s water aerobics or a Thai cooking class, sign up for something you've never done before. Plus, it’s an excellent way to make new friends and expand your social circle. 

BOOKS WE LOVE: Skinny Bitch Style!

Skinny Bitch in the Kitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin (Running Press) is a cheeky cookbook with "Kick-Ass Recipes for Hungry Girls Who Want to Stop Cooking Crap (and Start Looking Hot!)." The two skinny chicks who brought you Skinny Bitch are back with a vengeance with their latest New York Times Bestseller, Skinny Bitch in the Kitch. The skinny bitches share their cooking knowledge with readers, with sections like "Bitchin' Breakfasts," "PMS (Pissy Mood Snacks)," and "Happy Endings (Desserts)." With a spunky writing style, the ladies cook, vegan-style, and bring you tasty alternatives to classic dishes like "Pad Thai," "Falafel," and "Mac n'Cheese." They will have you substituting coconut oil for olive oil, and cutting how much dairy and meat you consume in no time. So go on and whip up some homemade "Granola Yogurt Parfait" made with soy yogurt and "Potato and Pumpkin Curry with Brown Basmati Rice" today. This isn't your typical cookbook, but it's lots of fun! It's also a compact, 192-page book, which means you can easily toss it in your purse for ideas while away from home. Make notes of your favorite recipes and health ideas with their journal, Skinny Bitchin', and you'll be well on your way to a healthier, happier you!

Their other books include Skinny Bitch Bun in the Oven and their book for the boys, Skinny Bastard. For more information, visit their website.

Secret Wonder: FOLATE (Folic Acid)

Common fact: folate (folic acid) is vital to take if you're pregnant. What you may not know, however, are the other perks of this B vitamin. Folic acid is necessary to take to have healthy DNA. Women who have higher levels of folic acid in their diet, have a much lower risk of getting breast cancer than women who don't eat enough foods rich in folate. You'll especially want to take the supplement if you drink alcohol on a fairly regular basis, since it has been proven that alcohol actually BLOCKS folic acid from helping DNA.


Folate can also help with depression, because it helps to balance mood-balancing dopamine and serotonin. In fact, people with a history of depression often have a lower level of folic acid in their blood. Make sure to take the supplements for a year.


Another bonus: Folate has been known to aid one's memory and brain function in postmenopausal women. Plan on taking folic acid daily for life, because its benefits are great!


How much: Take a minimum of 400mcg of folic acid, but no more than 1,000mcg.
What has it: A 3/4c. serving of Total cereal meets the daily requirement! It's also in spinach, broccoli, asparagus, orange juice, black-eyed peas, and fortified grain products and breads. A supplement is usually a good idea in addition to these foods, as you probably won't eat enough of one (besides Total!) to get enough. Definitely take a supplement if you're expecting to get pregnant soon.


Be sure to visit our health column for more tips on healthy foods to eat.

BOOK WE LOVE: BabyCakes

BABYCAKES: Vegan, Gluten-Free, and (Mostly) Sugar-Free Recipes from New York's Most Talked-About Bakery by Erin McKenna (Clarkson Potter Publishers) came out this month. Attention those with food allergies: here's proof that you can bake your cupcake and eat it too. BabyCakes, the Lower East Side's beloved gluten-free, vegan bakery that opened in 2005, presents their famous, tried-and-true recipes for making scrumptious, healthy treats. Now, those who don't live right in Manhattan can enjoy these special, delightful concoctions, and you don't have to have allergies or be a vegan to enjoy them. Many people imagine baked goods made without eggs, wheat or dairy to be lacking moisture, texture and flavor. BabyCakes NYC (and now West Hollywood!) will force you to re-evaluate your previous notions of alternative baking. The cookbook features full-color photographs and recipes for biscuits, scones, teacakes, cupcakes & frostings, cakes, crumbles, pies, cobblers and drinks, and is sprinkled with celebrity fanmail about the bakery. I am not a vegan, nor do I have food allergies, but I adore these recipes, and BabyCakes' goodies will win over the pickiest of eaters. In case you're still skeptical: McKenna received the very prestigious "Best Cupcake" award in 2006 from New York magazine. Log onto BabyCake's website for more information.

BOOK WE LOVE: THIS IS WHO I AM

THIS IS WHO I AM by Rosanne Olson (Artisan Publishing) is a very powerful hardcover book that celebrates women's unique bodies and beauty. At first glance, THIS IS WHO I AM looks like a photo book of women of all shapes and sizes. However, after reading just one of the stories, you realize how incredible this book really is. Each woman writes candidly about her body, and the pain and struggle of overcoming disease, obesity, or sexual abuse. Olson's project runs deeper than just taking a picture and pairing it with a shallow caption. The words from the women who beautifully grace the pages share their true feelings; their true selves. Such beauty and inspiring, and sometimes heart-breaking, words can easily bring the most stoic reader to tears.


THIS IS WHO I AM will challenge how you view your own body, and the bodies of others. It is a celebration of real women, real bodies, and the unshakable strength and beauty of womankind! Hip Chick Zine gives this book 5 stars!


To buy this book, click here.