This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Nicole L. Congrats!
Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering. ~Pooh’s Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne
Stress…It comes in varying forms. It’s the morning rush to get everyone out of the house…the traffic jam on the 405 freeway…the work meeting…the job interview…the night before a vacation…
Stress isn’t always bad…there are many positive life changes (marriage, moving, going to a new school) that cause some degree of stress. Chronic stress..the type of daily stress one might face in a work or home environment is more likely to have detrimental health effects.
So how do I deal with the day to day stresses of life? Work/life balance, finances, sick kids, travel etc.? Here are my top 5 ways to reduce stress without prescription medication!
1. I strive to take care of myself. Adequate sleep, regular exercise, and a diet rich in fruits, veggies, and whole grains all provide that additional buffer my body needs to handle daily stress.
2. I work in a bit of pampering. I absolutely LOVE massages, facials, scrubs and any other skin/beauty treatment I can get at the spa. This dedicated time focused on me, helps me unwind and regroup better preparing me to focus on the days and weeks ahead. Tip: Next week (April 16th through 22nd) is Spa Week where you can get massages, facials, scrubs and more for just $50 (what a steal!). Can’t get to the spa? Draw a bath and incorporate some aromatherapy salts.
3. I unplug and take time off. Everyone needs a break. Everyone! If you’re like me, and have a difficult time stepping away from work, scheduling down time (even a vacation) is crucial to ensuring you get the relaxation time you need.
4. I took up a hobby! Ok, so maybe writing a blog isn’t a hobby per se, but that is exactly how it started. My husband and I travel-blogged our way through Europe and I enjoyed it so much that I started a blog after my son was born. And here we are, almost 5 years later. While it’s definitely become more than a hobby, I still thoroughly enjoy this creative space to write and express my thoughts, feelings, and musings.
5. I have a strong supportive network. Whether it’s figuring out how to help my children go to sleep or whether or not a work opportunity is a good fit for our family, it’s those strong relationships that I rely on. My husband, mother, and close friends are there for support, advice, a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear.

Photo Credit: C3 For Stress
Last month, I spent a few days getting immersed in a wide variety of natural products at Expo West in Anaheim, CA. One of the many brands I met face to face was C3 for Stress, makers of an all natural flavored drink mix containing a blend of botanicals, vitamins, and minerals to help ease the symptoms of stress. The mix was developed by the three professionals who launched Elixir Teas & Tonics, a store and line of herbal products and beverages to help ease stress. Designed to work in just minutes (15-20), C3 typically results in a general feeling of calmness. As I experienced, it’s not uncommon to feel a slight numbing sensation but it wasn’t uncomfortable or lasting.
C3 is offered in single serve packets that can be taken on the go and mixed with water. I like the fact that the product is free from stimulants and sedatives and only uses natural ingredients. The additional vitamins also provide that boost I need to keep me going throughout the day. While most people only need 1 packet, up to 3 can be taken in one day. Enjoy C3 hot or cold when you feel the symptoms of stress coming on. I envision using this when I travel or engage in public speaking…two situations where I tend to get uncomfortably stressed.
It should be noted that the FDA has not evaluated the claims made by C3 and thus, you should read the FAQs and do your own research to determine if C3 is right for you.
Right now, you can try C3 out for just $4.95 shipped (the starter kit includes 5 packets).
Win It! One of you will win a $75 SpaFinder Gift Card. To enter, simply leave me a comment with the number one way you reduce stress. Comments will close on April 23rd, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.
US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.
Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.
Follow me on Pinterest (It’s the new thing to do!) : )
Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a @spafinder GC from @c3forstress @rockinmama http://tinyurl.com/89bu4fd ” Daily tweets are allowed but please put the permalink so I can keep track.
Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry
Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.
Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.
Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments
No compensation was received for this post. Gift cards provided by C3.
- Discover Luxury at Sonesta Irvine: Your Ideal Staycation - August 8, 2024
- CHOC Walk Returns to the Disneyland Resort – Special Events and Ways to Support - June 28, 2023
- Beastly Ball Returns to the Los Angeles Zoo - May 8, 2023
I reduce stress by shopping. It’s really therapeutic
I reduce stress by taking hot bath.
Follow you on Pinterest as elena8
I like your facebook page as Elena Istomina
I like this giveaway on Facebook as Elena Istomina
shared: https://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=325632704158981&id=100002433695748
E-mail subscriber
elena150980 at yahoo dot com
Sleep always seems to reduce stress for me. Thanks for the giveaway!
I liked this post/giveaway on Facebook.
I do yoga to reduce stress. I tried C3 at the natural product expo and wow, it did relax me!
I like your blog on fb.
I subscribe to your feed.
Follow you on Twitter and tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/189492405995704321
A nice walk always helps me to clear my mind and feel so much better!
I follow you on Pinterest.
I follow and tweeted.
https://twitter.com/#!/susanlanai/status/189616496366977024
I’m a Facebook fan.
I’m an email subscriber.
I have two ways- take a hot shower or take a walk! Thanks for the chance.
I subscribe 🙂
I follow you on Pinterest! Thanks.
Music is a huge stress reliever for me! Sometimes a little time alone and my favorite music works wonders.
I follow on pinterest as tcrowley122
I reduce stress by taking long walks!
I follow on twitter as @tcrowley122 and tweeted!
https://twitter.com/#!/tcrowley122/status/189699489337053184
I’m a facebook fan!!!
I follow you on Twitter (@skkorman), and I tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/189699785555574784
I’m a Facebook follower (Sheila Korman)!
I’m an email subscriber!
I’m an email subscriber!
I like this post on facebook!
I shared this giveaway on Facebook (Sheila Korman)!
I exercise nearly every day 🙂
I subscribe via e-mail.
I’m a follower through twitter and tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/khmorgan_00/status/189703032647335939
I like your site on facebook. Kristie N.
I liked this post on facebook.
The number one way I relieve stress is by going for a run in nature. Endorphins + fresh air!
I am a Facebook follower!
I followed you on Pinterest!
I am an email subscriber!
after my kiddos go to bed, I take a long hot bath!
e-mail subscriber
Usually my way to reduce stress is to drink a beer or two and enter sweeps/giveaways! lol
I am an email subscriber.
daily tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/189802787436109824
Dugg as frugalcalimom
I nice hot bath usually does it for me!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I like you on Facebook: Cori Eckstrom Westphal (facebook.com/coriwestphal)
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I’m an email subscriber, coriwestphal at msn dot com.
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I follow you on Twitter @coriwestphal (twitter.com/coriwestphal)
Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/189873395486298112
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I Google +1’d: Cori Westphal (https://plus.google.com/u/0/103353585286066075351/posts)
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I often take the dog out for a nice walk and/or a trip to the dog park. I find that really helps me reduce stress.
tweet https://twitter.com/#!/drellis500/status/189910829565616128
reading books is my way of relaxing
Sohamolina-Pinterest
http://twitter.com/sohamolina/statuses/189917426769592320
I am sohamolina (Soha M) FB liker– [email protected]
I am an email subscriber- [email protected]
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/190028133611732993
daily tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/190135628728508416
Going for a long walk.
email subscriber
My #1 way to reduce stress is a hot shower. Also a good comedy movie or TV show.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/190382423928872960
https://twitter.com/#!/sohamolina/statuses/190459857218977793
tweet https://twitter.com/#!/drellis500/status/190448009472000001
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/190541287244578816
i work in my garden
[email protected]
e-mail
[email protected]
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/190728674901893120
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/190882586959159296
I like to reduce stress by watching silly shows, like the Real Housewives shows on Bravo! 🙂
I follow you on Pinterest (ElisabethG33)
https://twitter.com/#!/egood33/status/190981387854163968
I’m subscribed to your feed via reader.
tweet https://twitter.com/#!/drellis500/status/191017787563573248
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/191108541174644736
I like to reduce stress by taking a nice long walk.
I follow you on Pininterest (JenniferCNP)
following you on twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/191190133750505472
I like you on fb (Jennifer Messner M)
email subscriber
I liked this post on fb (Jennifer Messner M)
shared on fb
https://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=333053576748810&id=661240371
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/191223292143742978
https://twitter.com/#!/egood33/status/191240019523010560
tweet https://twitter.com/#!/drellis500/status/191278450710028290
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/191461449426665472
https://twitter.com/#!/egood33/status/191541977593036801
tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/191551803777757184
https://twitter.com/#!/sohamolina/statuses/191595203700867072
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/191601169670483968
tweet https://twitter.com/#!/drellis500/status/191630165921628160
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/191839286587432960
Tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/tcrowley122/status/191906058615263233
E-mail subscriber
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/191941983458177024
tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/192040794142674945
tweet https://twitter.com/#!/drellis500/status/192069431373996032
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/192215952744644609
https://twitter.com/#!/sohamolina/statuses/192283891812417538
https://twitter.com/#!/egood33/status/192298788138921984
tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/192411860522385408
the #1 way i reduce stress is by talking to my husband, my mom and my dad – they each have good advice
sarah at realtorsd.com
i follow you on pinterest as sarah davis
sarah at realtorsd.com
Watching tv helps me zone out and reduce stress.
I follow you on pinterest(kelly Saver)
I follow you on twitter(Kellysaver) And tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/kellysaver/status/192574738982371328
I subscribe to your email under kellywcuATyahooDOTcom
I like you on FB(Kelly D Saver)
I relieve stress by reading a good book 🙂
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/192598867529838592
to reduce stress, I like to take a nice hot bath 🙂
followed you on twitter and posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/laurenawrecksus/status/192641089251983360
following you on Pinterest!
i am an email subscriber 🙂
I relieve stress by taking a bubble bath!
I reduce stress by taking some time to read the Word and contemplate reality.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
https://twitter.com/#!/egood33/status/192682883020886016
tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/192768114113511424
I like to go for walks to relieve stress!
i follow on twitter @pittsy82 and tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/pittsy82/status/192790520022573056
I “LIKE” you on fb (Nicole Larsen)
I subscribe via email
I take a cup of really good coffee and sit on my balcony!
I follow you on Twitter (@hyzennthlay)
and tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/Hyzennthlay/status/192805578953850880
I follow you on Pinterest (heather c)
I follow you on Facebook (hyzennthlay c)
I like to drink tea and watch sitcoms
email subscriber
twitter follower, jfwmass
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/192952329891356672
http://twitter.com/sohamolina/statuses/193067271596425216
I watch a good movie as a way to relax.
tweet tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/pookiecat123/status/193085753532747776
fan of yours on facebook
Judy Sue
subscriber to your emails
liked this post on my facebook page
Judy Sue
tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/pittsy82/status/193111226417545217
tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/193128058717351936
Daily Tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/Hyzennthlay/status/193153822414209024
I go for a walk.
follow you on twitter and tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/thehappyclipper/status/193160131503079424
like Rockin’ Mama on facebook
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/193289578021535744
Tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/tcrowley122/status/193307564656693248
tweet tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/pookiecat123/status/193378032633917440
https://twitter.com/#!/egood33/status/193437571672571904
tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/pittsy82/status/193469444259975168
tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/193545416598495234
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/193639657655910400
tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/193718220602081281
I pressed the gogle plus icon
tweet https://twitter.com/#!/drellis500/status/193770084727132160
tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/pittsy82/status/193892426845405186
Tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/tcrowley122/status/193901574941196289
If I want to reduce stress taking a walk helps me. Thanks!
Following you on Pinterest under http://pinterest.com/romapr/
Following you on twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/romapr09/status/194016728026591232
Liked you on Facebook under Rochelle Martin
Current email subscriber
Google+ button under Ro M
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/skkorman/status/194021111376248832
tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/194235906188771328
tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/pittsy82/status/194253761626112000
Daily Tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/Hyzennthlay/status/194255380505833472
I reduce stress by laying on the couch with a good book while the kids are sleeping
I’m a fan on Facebook (Lisa L).
I’m an email subscriber.
Google +1’ed this post (Lisa L)
http://twitter.com/sohamolina/statuses/194259804485726208
Tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/tcrowley122/status/194393980203569152
Tweet: I just entered a #giveaway to win a @spafinder GC from @c3forstress @rockinmama http://tinyurl.com/89bu4fd
tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/194404520434991104
tweet tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/pookiecat123/status/194457619312820225
https://twitter.com/#!/egood33/status/194477218691432448
I also blogged it: http://raindropsonrosesafewofmyfavoritethings.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/head-over-to-ro-3/
tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/pittsy82/status/194549927978876928
Daily Tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/Hyzennthlay/status/194587206663409664
I reduce stress by doing yoga
I subscribe via email