Relaxing Things for Chaotic Times
Relaxing Things for Chaotic Times
Sigh.
Oh, hello!
Apologies for my tardiness in sending this week, but I have a good excuse as my dad was in town. We had a jam-packed but maybe perfect agenda: We took the ferry downtown, saw Fran Leibowitz and Frank Rich do a talk (“What, Dolce & Gabbana couldn’t get Ed Koch?”), took a Tenement Museum tour, ate at Russ & Daughters, and got the hottest ticket in town, for Oh, Mary!
Anyway, as tensions have been at their tippy tippy top lately, these few days were a good reminder to take some time to do FUN things with people you love. It got me thinking: What’s everyone doing right now to get their minds off of *gestures at everything*? So I asked a few friends, and sharing their responses below.
**Like last week, I will be donating affiliate revenue from today’s newsletter to World Central Kitchen in their hurricane efforts. If you’re interested in donating further, I found this list of resources helpful.
Caitlin Brody cooks to unwind—we’re both big fans of the NYTimes cooking app, and regularly send each other the recipes we’re making for dinner. (Yes, we are adorable!)
Manasa Vedula has been re-watching The West Wing, pretending Jed Bartlet is president.
“does not know how to relax,” but is also rewatching comfort shows—30 Rock and Parks and Rec—in a valiant attempt. She’s a fellow Calm app fan as well, and relies on her cat Latke for snuggles.
Gena Kaufman also uses a breathwork app, Breathly, and offers this review: “It does not solve your problems but clears your head for a bit. And it helps me sleep better if I do it before bed.”
Audrey Noble has gone with a more inside-out approach, taking these magnesium supplements recommended by a nutritionist. She’s also taken up tennis (“the whole endorphins make you happy thing is actually true.”)
As for moi? I love using the Alo Moves app for workouts, meditations, etc. There’s always something for whatever mood I’m in. Making my bed as comfy as possible has also become somewhat of an obsession; I just got new Brooklinen sheets and I spritz on this Beauty Sleep linen spray by the Laundress.
Then this is less for stress prevention as for when it’s already here, but I use one of those viral neck massagers, which my brother got for me. It’s incredible. It’s so ugly and silly looking but works so, so well. I also have a microwave heating pad that I use on my jaw when I’ve been clenching (so, every day).
From the archives:
