7 ways to reduce stress so you can be healthier and happier

Everyone experiences stress from time to time.  If left unchecked, stress can lead to health problems such as anxiety, depression, and heart attacks among other ailments.  In celebration of National Stress Awareness Month, take steps this month to reduce stress so you can feel your best!

1. Decide to get healthy.  Taking control of your health can impact the level of stress you experience. Improve your food choices and add an exercise routine to your day.  Even 30 minutes of brisk walking each day combined with a healthier diet will make you feel so much better!
2. Laugh!!  Laughter truly is good for you.  In fact, laughter has been known to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and increase alertness and creativity.  So, laugh away!  It really is the best medicine!
3. Write it down. No matter what obstacles you face each day, do your best to put a positive spin on them.  At the end of the day, take a few minutes to list 2 or 3 things about that specific day that made you happy.  Keep the lists in a journal so you can go back and read them.  Reflecting on positive moments in your life are sure to reduce stress and bring a smile to your face!

Part 2 coming soon

Are you paying attention to these special areas?

Spring is here, which means we finally get to pack away the sweaters and flaunt the tank tops and sundresses! But, many of us still try to cover up during this hot, humid time of year to hide unsightly brown spots and wrinkles on the neck and chest area, causing us to be uncomfortable and insecure.  It doesn’t have to be that way this year!  Read on to learn how to get your delicate neck and décolleté areas ready for some outdoor fun!

The neck and décolleté areas are the most neglected areas when it comes to skincare, yet they are extremely vulnerable to wrinkles and require special care. These sensitive areas must be cared for just like your face and body if you want beautiful skin all over.

While acne and other skincare issues are not prominent in these areas, the lack of care is eventually revealed through dark, dry, flaky skin, dark spots, and deep wrinkles.   Your esthetician can create a program to help restore soft, vibrant skin.  Call today to reserve your consultation.

To reveal glowing, healthy skin in the neck and décolleté areas between spa visits, follow these tips:

• Moisturize!! Be sure to include the neck and chest areas when completing your daily face and body moisturizing regimen.
• Use a thicker night cream before bed to restore firmness and softness.
• Be sure to exfoliate weekly at home between spa visits to keep skin soft and supple.
• Most importantly, ALWAYS use sunscreen with a high SPF when outdoors to avoid the sun’s damaging rays.

For best results and to keep your skin looking healthy and young, be as consistent as possible with your skincare routine while following your esthetician’s recommendations.

Here’s to healthy, vibrant skin all season long!

Clams with Smoky Bacon and Tomatoes

Ingredients

• 6 slices apple wood-smoked bacon, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-wide strips
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
• 1/2 cup chopped drained roasted red bell peppers from jar
• 6 pounds littleneck clams, scrubbed
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley

Directions

• Heat large pot over medium-high heat.
• Add bacon and onion.
• Sauté until bacon is crisp around edges and onion starts to brown, stirring, about 8 minutes.
• Add garlic. Stir 1 minute.
• Add tomatoes with juice and peppers. Bring to boil, scraping up browned bits.
• Add clams, cover, and boil until clams open, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes (discard any clams that do not open).
• Stir in 1/4 cup parsley.
• Divide among shallow bowls. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons parsley.

Serve with buttered (low-fat and heart-healthy, of course!) wheat linguine and side salad for a unique and tasty meal.