2012-10-11-omaglogo.jpg

By Lisa Kogan




Sure, the climate is changing, and yes, coal is not clean, fracking is not safe, the Middle East is a powder keg, dinner and a movie will set you back about $11,000, a semiautomatic weapon is easy to get, and a good Twinkie is hard to find. No question things could be better, but this much is clear: Things could be a whole lot worse. Here, a few reasons to feel sort of, kind of, more or less, all in all, pretty okay -- at least some of the time.





  • 1. Spring Fashion Is Shaping Up To Be A Stiletto-Free Zone


    No longer will you stand at a cocktail party praying for the sweet release of death. Embrace your ballet slippers, my friend -- the flat will set you free!




  • 2. Whether Your Guy Won Or Lost, The Elections Are Over


    Let's all just take a moment to notice how utterly delightful it is not to be immersed in round-the-clock campaign spin. Note: Do not take more than a moment, as we've got only 30 minutes before it all starts up again.




  • 3. Five Words We Are Deeply Grateful Never To Have Heard: 'Honey Boo Boo, The Musical'




  • 4. Forget Raindrops On Roses And Whiskers On Kittens...


    ...when was the last time you said thank you to whomever you believe in for giving us Mindy Kaling, the Resolve stain stick, Urban Decay eyeshadow primer, "House" reruns, Michael Ian Black essays, Warren Buffet, Elizabeth Warren, and clams oreganata?




  • 5. Luggage? Check. A Not-Especially-Clean Pillow? Check. Seat Placement? Check.


    With the possible exception of bathroom usage and oxygen, the airlines are now officially out of stuff they can charge extra for.




  • 6. By Now, You've Probably Already Screwed Up Every New Year's Resolution You Made -- And Even A Few You Didn't


    But today is the first day of the rest of your year. Besides, we're all entitled to the occasional do-over. Witness: Charlie Sheen.




  • 7. There Was A Time When Nobody Believed They'd Find Ice Cubes On Mars, Cure Polio, Or Clone Sheep


    You might be thinking that Bradley Cooper will never be yours, that winning the lottery is not an option, that dreams dim, friends fade, love is a losing proposition. And there's a very decent chance you're correct. But always remember, there's a cloned sheep out there proving that you just never know.





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  • Peel An Orange


    Citrus aromas can curb stress and anxiety, as well as help with digestion and nausea, says <a href="http://www.prevention.com/health/emotional-health/scent-citrus-shown-reduce-stress#ixzz2NeCzO1Uz" target="_blank">Prevention magazine</a>.




  • Read A Book For Six Minutes


    Research has shown that <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5070874/Reading-can-help-reduce-stress.html" target="_blank">reading even for six minutes</a> can lower levels of stress.




  • Eat An Avocado


    Avocados have been shown to lower blood pressure, research shows. <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/health-fitness/advice/reduce-stress-foods" target="_blank">Other foods to help chill you out</a> include salmon, almonds and spinach.




  • Walk To Some Green Space


    A short walk in the park helps lower stress and allows the brain to recover from tension, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904199404576538260326965724.html?mod=djemLifeStyle_h" target="_blank">research shows</a>.




  • Delegate Some Tasks


    <a href="http://www.mindtools.com/stress/WorkOverload/Delegation.htm" target="_blank">Pass some responsibility off to other people</a> to help lower your stress levels.




  • Try This Easy Yoga Pose


    The easiest yoga pose called Savasana -- or corpse pose -- only requires that you lay on your back and relax with arms at your sides. Do this for 15 minutes to de-stress, <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1515" target="_blank">Yoga Journal suggests</a>.




  • Practice Zen Meditation


    Find a peaceful place near your office and <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation/HQ01070" target="_blank">focus on your breathing and clear your mind </a>for 10 minutes to bring stress down.




  • Take A Nap


    A power nap of 20 minutes can do wondrous things for stress -- and <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/031429_power_naps_energy.html" target="_blank">boost memory, cognitive skills, creativity, and energy level, research has shown</a>.




  • Take Your Dog To Work


    Research has shown that workers who take their dogs to work <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/03/30/149684409/take-your-dog-to-the-office-and-stress-less" target="_blank">are less stressed out</a>.




  • Listen To Mozart


    Research has shown that <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15327344" target="_blank">listening to Mozart is more relaxing than listening to new age music</a>. Try listening to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb_jQBgzU-I" target="_blank">Eine Kleine Nachtmusik</a> on your lunch hour.





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  • Quick Body Scan


    To help quiet your mind and boost awareness of the sensations in your body, sit or lie down in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Start by drawing your attention to different parts of your physical body, and checking in with how they feel. You can begin at the feet and work your way up to the head, noticing and releasing any tension as you go. A thorough <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7650123" target="_blank">body scan meditation</a> might last around 10 minutes, but you can quickly complete the exercise in a minute or less as a way to bring back your wandering mind to the physical present.




  • Email Meditation


    Email is one of the biggest Internet stressors, and when we're at our desks dealing with a pile of unread messages and a growing "follow-up" folder, it's easy to get a little anxious. In the book "Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life," Dr. Lillian Cheung and Zen master Thich Naht Hahn outline a brief email meditation to practice before you hit the "send" button. <a href="http://www.savorthebook.com/sites/default/files/Email%20Meditation.pdf" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the full instructions.




  • Listen To Nature Sounds


    According to Dr. Kathleen Hall, stress expert and founder of the Mindful Living Network, nature sounds can do wonders to reduce stress. Hall recommends sitting quietly for one to three minutes and listening to the sounds of natural landscapes, like oceans, rainforests or brooks. "There are some great apps that have sounds of whales or birds or cats purring ... It immediately stops the production of stress hormones," Hall tells the Huffington Post.




  • Laugh


    Even if it doesn't feel natural at first, making time for a quick laugh -- whether it's by watching a silly animal video or reminding yourself of a funny joke -- can help bust you out of a stressful headspace. Laughter releases endorphins in the brain and relaxes the muscles, <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-relief/SR00034" target="_blank">according to the Mayo Clinic</a>.




  • Deep Breathing


    Breathly deeply in and out for just one minute can help to refresh your mind and reset your body. Harvard University research in the 1970s conducted by<a href="http://www.relaxationresponse.org/" target="_blank"> Dr. Herbert Benson</a> found that short periods of meditation that focused on the breath had the power to alter the body's stress responses, activating the "relaxation response." Find a quiet place to sit for one minute, focusing on breathing deeply in and out and letting go of distracting thoughts.




  • Essential Oils


    The part of the brain that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/science/05angier.html?_r=0" target="_blank">processes smells</a> is located in close proximity to that which governs emotion and memory, so scent can be a powerful way to induce pleasant emotions and calm the mind. Essential oils can be particularly effective -- according to a 2008 study published in <em>Holistic Nursing Practice</em>, essential oils actually reduced stress perception in nurses working in intensive care unit settings. Try keeping ylang ylang, peppermint or lavender essential oils at your desk and applying a small amount on the skin when you start feeling stressed.




  • Neck & Shoulder Massage


    Help soothe tense muscles in the neck and shoulders (also known as the <a href="https://www.uhcwest.com/vgn/images/portal/cit_60701/600626161_AAHS_RYST_PEW206415.pdf" target="_blank">"stress triangle"</a>) by giving yourself a brief massage. But make sure it's not a mindless massage while staring at the computer -- for the full de-stressing benefits, stop what you're doing and bring mindful awareness to the muscle tension you feel, as well as the release of that tension.




  • Dance


    The free motion and stretching movements of dance can help to release tension from the body and lift your spirits. Exercise in any form can act as a stress reliever by pumping up endorphins, <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-and-stress/SR00036" target="_blank">according to the Mayo Clinic</a>, and dancing can be a particularly enjoyable way to blow off steam for many people. Put a favorite song on your headphones, step away from the computer, and let loose for a minute -- it's almost guaranteed to boost your mood.