Work can be a pretty stressful place, even without all the layoffs and lack of job security lately. Sometimes it can feel so overwhelming that you can’t focus on your work because there’s just so much to do. When you feel yourself starting to go over the edge, it’s important to try to relax. Some people find that breathing exercises help, while others slowly count to ten. It’s all about finding what works best for you.
When searching for a stress-reliever, don’t overlook the power of your sense of smell. The USB Aromatherapy Oil Burner (ThinkGeek, $5.99) plugs into your computer’s USB port and uses heat to create a soothing work environment. The set includes a mini bottle of lavender oil (known for its calming effects) but any scent will work in this device. Just squeeze a drop or two of essential oil on the “x” and plug this baby into your USB port (horizontal ports recommended). Then you can sit back and let your olfactory neurons be stimulated.
Close your eyes and you might be able to pretend like you’re not even at work. It’s a long shot, but it’s worth a try.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: Aprrox 2.5″ long
-Includes oil burner and mini bottle of lavender scented oil
-Works with any fragrance oil
Seriously, what is up with this weather? Spring is allegedly officially upon us, yet it’s miserable outside and even snowing in some places! I’m especially upset by this bitterly cold start to the season because I was planning on saving some money by turning my thermostat down. Those few days of sunshine and warmth were just a tease!
Instead of cranking the heat up to 80 degrees and pretending you’re on a tropical vacation (trust me, you’ll never get rid of the sand), why not try making you home more cozy without the high cost? The Instant Chair Warmer (Taylor Gifts, $14.99) attaches to any chair and uses your own body heat to instantly warm you. That’s right, no batteries or electricity needed because the soft fleece-like outer shell of the chair warmer traps your body heat and reflects it back to you. And unless you’re a cold-blooded reptile, that’s a balmy 98.6 degrees of delicious body heat for you to snuggle up in.
What I wouldn’t give for a sofa-sized blanket of this material!
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 60″ x 27″
-Traps body heat to warm you instantly
-No batteries or electricity needed
-Save on energy costs
-Secures to chair with elastic band
-Mylar backing and fleece like outer shell
-Made of acrylic fleece
So I really went all out for Valentine’s Day yesterday. I bought a huge bouquet of roses, lit a few candles, and then made the most delicious meal: frozen pizza. Hey, if you forked out the cash for a quality floral arrangement, then you feel my pain. I mean, what else could I afford to buy after that? Still, the evening was quite lovely right up until I had to take my pizza out of the oven. That’s when I decided that instead of burning my mouth on molten hot cheese, I would instead graze my wrists against sizzling oven racks. There’s nothing more romantic than the pain-filled shrieks of an adult male. Am I right, ladies?
I could have enjoyed my gourmet meal in peace, had I invested in the Cool Touch Oven Rack Guard (Vat19, $19.95). This set of two oven rack guards snap onto the front of any standard sized oven rack to help protect your wrists and arms (you know, the parts that are still exposed even if you’re using oven mitts) from skin-torching oven burns. Safe for temperatures up to 500 degrees, these guards can be left on the oven racks between uses and really only need to come off when they or your oven need to be cleaned. I’m not gonna tell you how to clean your oven (I’m pretty sure most of you out there just have to push a button that says “clean”), but you’ll be glad to know that you can throw these guards right in the washing machine.
Now the only thing standing between you and a home-cooked meal is…your cooking skills. Good luck with that.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 18″ across
-Set of 2 oven rack guards
-Fits any standard oven rack
-Snaps into place
-Safe for temperatures up to 500 degrees
-Can be left on rack between uses
-Remove during oven cleaning cycle
-Machine washable
-Made of flame and heat resistant Nomex
I think I need a day off. I’ve been shoveling out my driveway for the past month and I’m sick of it. My back is killing me, my arms are sore, and I have an ever increasing hatred of the winter season. But I don’t have any time off coming up, so a tropical vacation is out of the question. I guess I’ll just have to make do with some sunglasses and a heating pad.
If you want a really relaxing experience, pull out the Bubble Spa Mat (Gizoo, £69.95). It’s a soft air mat that uses over 300 individual aeration vents to simulate the effects of a whirlpool bath. The unit features customized massage variable controls and a timer facility you can set for 15, 30, or 60 minutes as well as a convenient wireless remote. Its non-slip feet grip the bottom of the tub to prevent slippage while the mat fills with air to cushion your body. Basically, it takes all the best parts of a spa session and combines them with the convenience of a jacuzzi tub, all within the comfort of your own home for a fraction of the price.
Hmm, inexpensive and easy? It’s a lazy person’s dream!
5 out of 5 stars.
.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 120cm x 37.5cm x 0.8cm
-Converts any bathtub into bubble massage spa
-Duplicates the effects of whirlpool bath
-Soft air mat with 9′ flexible hose
-Mat fills with air to cushion body
-Over 300 aeration vents
-Customized massage variable controls
-Timer facility for 15, 30, or 60 minutes
-Compact unit also folds for easy storage
-Convenient wireless remote
-Non slip feet prevents slippage while in use
As much as I love to cook, I don’t do it all the time. I’m not gonna lie, it’s mostly because I’m lazy. Sure, I could cook a new meal every night of the week, but wouldn’t it just be easier to make one big meal and then eat leftovers for a few days? Besides, cooking for one is hard and it would just be economically irresponsible to waste all that money on food that’ll be thrown away because I didn’t eat all of it. In a way, I’m doing my part to save the environment.
The one problem with being a slave to the microwave is that you’re prone to touching scalding hot dishware while your food remains ice cold. The Cool Touch Microwave Bowl (Vat19, $9.95) not only even heats your food, but also keeps you from burning yourself when you remove the dish from the microwave. How does it do it? Simple – by using two bowls nested within each other! The inner ceramic bowl heats up to cook your food while the outer plastic bowl is insulated to be cool to the touch. The outer bowl also has a large handle on one side to allow you to hold it with one hand so you can eat with the other. That’s right, not only will you be able to easily heat your leftovers (saving the environment, remember), but you can also eat right out of the same bowl which means less dishes to wash, less water to use, and then we’re right back at saving the planet.
All my other dishes have inferiority complexes now.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 6.5″ diameter x 3.25″
-Capacity: 24oz
-Cook and eat from the same bowl
-Two bowls nestled for cool touch
-Inner ceramic bowl heats food evenly
-Outer insulated plastic bowl
-Large handle for one handed grip
-Vented lid prevents microwave splatters
-Made of ceramic and plastic
-Top rack dishwasher safe
