Self Magazine - She's Got the Look

Stress-relief advice anyone (even you!) can use

SELF_Magazine — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:19:53 GMT

As the competition heated up, I popped in on the women in the She’s Got the Look loft to offer some of SELF’s relaxation tips. The contestants were game to interrupt their busy day and unroll their yoga mats for this progressive muscle relaxation exercise. Try it with or without a mat next time you’re feeling tense:

1. Tighten all the muscles in your face, closing your eyes forcefully and clenching your jaw. Hold for a count of five as you inhale.

2. Next, exhale and relax everything as if your face is a balloon, running out of air. Let your cheeks and jaw relax for a count of five. Feel the tension ebb.

3. Inhale again, tensing your neck and shoulders this time and holding that uncomfortable feeling for a count of five. Again, exhale and relax. Check to make sure your head, neck and shoulders all feel free of tension.

4. Repeat this process, isolating, tensing and relaxing each part of your body, one by one: your chest, then your belly, then your entire right arm and hand, followed by your left, and so on.

If you are pressed for time, you can do this exercise pretty much anywhere sitting at your desk at work, or in your car, parked in a parking lot. And you can divide the body into four quadrants and work on each of them, which will shorten the entire exercise to roughly a minute. First focus on your face; then your neck, shoulders and arms; then your chest and belly; finish with your butt, legs and feet. This deep relaxation reduces tension, of course, but it can even decrease blood pressure and perspiration rates, proof of its power. In fact, it’s been shown to help ease anxiety, insomnia, neck pain and fatigue, so it’s well worth doing regularly.

Here are a few other stress easers you can practice when the situation demands it:

Before a big event
Next time you have a speech to give or a performance to do, run up and down a few flights of stairs or do some jumping jacks before you rehearse. That way, when you’re in front of an audience, the heart-pounding feeling of stage jitters won’t throw you.

When you’re feeling frazzled at work
Bring on a smile by holding a pen between your teeth. This will trick your brain into thinking that you are grinning and, surprise, you’ll feel happier and more relaxed.

When you’re late and stuck in traffic
Inhale deeply. Then exhale loudly and imagine anything you’re worried about (missing a plane?) streaming out of your mind with the sound.

At the start of a busy day
Instead of jump-starting your jitters with coffee, wake up to a cup of warm cider or vanilla chai tea. Apple and vanilla scents increase the brain’s calming alpha waves.

There, aren’t you feeling better already?

-- Dana Points, SELF Executive Editor

Get Fit Fast Anywhere!

SELF_Magazine — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:36:28 GMT

Models need to look slim and sculpted. They get paid to be beautiful! But squeezing in the recommended 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week can be challenging for anybody. So I descended upon the She’s Got the Look apartment at the crack of dawn to impart a few fit-in-fitness secrets.

Style Advice for Every Body

SELF_Magazine — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:29:25 GMT

Everyone, no matter how tall or gorgeous, has figure issues they want to highlight or downplay -- and even models need wardrobe help to look their best in clothes. Every month SELF offers Fashion for Every Body-style solutions to help all women look and feel great regardless of size or shape.

An Easy Recipe for Beautiful Skin

SELF_Magazine — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:19:44 GMT

The key to making your skin glow and your hair shine is to get rid of impurities (via cleansing and exfoliating) and then hydrate to bring in fullness and radiance. With this in mind I decided to have the She's Got the Look candidates whip up SELF’s simple recipe for a face mask, using basic ingredients that can be found in the kitchen. Here’s my recipe

I Love Reality TV

SELF_Magazine — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:15:27 GMT

You'll see our team throughout the series offering unexpected tips and simple how-to tools about fashion, beauty, fitness and stress relief . For example, which floral scent has been scientifically proven to reduce stress? The contestants loved the relaxation exercises we showed them. To learn for yourself, stay tuned.