A woman approaches the counter to retrieve her coffee cocktail….“I SAID I wanted a TALL one shot LATTE with TWO SPLENDAS and LIGHT whip CREAM. This is NOT it, honey… you need to REMAKE MY DRINK!”
That was the reaction of a woman I encountered at Starbucks the other day when her coffee showed up disguised as someone else’s.
Whew! I couldn’t help but wonder how stressed she must have been, given her rage against the coffee machine.
Truth be told, we can all relate to overreacting when something doesn’t go our way, especially this time of year when days seem to speed up, our patience run extra thin, and Springsteen’s rendition of Santa Clause is Coming to Town is already a continuous loop in our heads. Hi, can we celebrate Thanksgiving first?
Pinot Grigio and Grey Goose martinis aside (who said that?), here are some cheap ways to chill out before YOU go ballistic on your barista:
- STRETCH: Lengthening your muscles releases pent up tension and stress almost instantly. Combine that with some deep breathing and a silent room, and you’ll soon be saying, “Now, what was I so upset about again?” Take an LA-based yoga class anytime, anywhere by visiting YogaGlow.com ($18/month is a steal!) or check out schedules at any LuLulemon Athletica retail store for a free community class. There’s also the new YogaCo in Santa Monica, where donation-based yoga classes go around the clock up to midnight! Or download a free yoga or meditation podcast on iTunes (great classes once again for FREE).
- TAKE A CHILL PILL: Check out GABA Calm™, which comes in tablets that dissolve under your tongue. GABA (short for gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a naturally occurring substance in the body that’s been shown to support a calm and relaxed mood. I popped a sample tablet at Whole Foods recently and quickly curled up for a catnap in aisle 6. This stuff works! DISCLAIMER: Do NOT operate your John Deere tractor after popping these, and DO consult your physician before taking.
- GET THE PATCH: No, not the nicotine one. Aromatherapy and essential oils, silly! Check out Naturopatch body patches that come in lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus, bergamot, and more. Stick one of these suckers on your arm to balance your mood, alleviate body aches and pains, or get better zzzzz’s.
- POWER DOWN: We’re big fans of this one although this may be one of the most challenging ones for the multi-taskers out there (present company included). Completely SHUT OFF your phone (no, “vibrate” mode doesn’t count), power off your laptop, TV, iPod, and silence anything (or anyone) else that makes noise. Lay in absolute silence and stare into nothingness. Close your eyes and hold still without fidgeting for at least 10 minutes. Repeat daily.
- EAT SEEDS THAT SOOTHE: Just like soy, flaxseed is a phyto-estrogen; the richest known plant source of phyto-estrogens out there actually. Flax acts as natural hormone therapy to help stabilize hormonal levels. Next time you’re feeling like you want to plow over your neighbor’s garbage can with your car, soothe your stress with a scoop of ground flaxseed mixed into a cup of yogurt or oatmeal. If you’re tuned into your body, you can feel a sudden ahhh-like sensation pour over you and your oats!
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