Feeling Tense? Try This Incredible Calming Cream

As weird and wacky as it sounds, this potent, penetrating, but oh-so-gentle cream can send your anxiety level plummeting — with none of the dangerous side effects of prescription drugs. Here’s how to make it in four simple steps:

Step 1. Round up ½ cup of wheat germ oil, 1 ounce of beeswax, ¼ cup of unflavored yogurt, four 400 IU vitamin E capsules, and 10 drops of juniper essential oil. You’ll also need a double boiler, a blender, and a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 2. Heat the wheat germ oil and beeswax in the top of a double boiler until the wax melts, but the mixture is still cool enough to touch. (Don’t let it get too hot, or you’ll damage the healing compounds in the oil.)

Step 3. Put the yogurt and vitamin E oil (squeezed from the capsules) in the blender, and turn it on its lowest setting. With the motor running, slowly pour in the warm wax and oil mixture, and add the juniper oil. Continue blending until you’ve got a smooth cream.

Step 4. Pour the cream into the jar, and let it cool to room temperature before putting the lid on. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep for about 30 days.

Several times a day, rub the cream onto your hands to keep stress away.

The Tense Truth about Clutter and Stress

Clutter kills. Well, not directly. But it does send your stress-hormone producers into overdrive, and that can do you in — fast! Consider these half-dozen horrific ways that clutter clobbers your mind and, in turn, your body:

1. It bombards your brain with excessive stimuli, forcing your senses to work overtime and often disturbing your health-giving sleep.

2. It distracts you from things that you need to focus on.

3. It makes it harder to relax, both mentally and physically.

4. It constantly whispers to your subconscious that your work is never — and can never be — done.

5. It triggers feelings of guilt and embarrassment, especially when unexpected visitors drop by your home or office.

6. It sends your frustration skyrocketing when things such as keys, bills, or important documents get buried in piles of junk.

There’s no doubt that even moderate amounts of clutter can send your stress level soaring sky high. But a junk-filled, disorganized home or office can also take a toll on your physical health. Here are four ways you may be doing your body a big disservice by letting a lot of possessions pile up throughout your home:

• The more stuff you have lying around, the more handy hiding places you provide for germs of all kinds.
• The more dust collectors you have, the more exposed you are to the toxins released by PVC and other plastics.
• All kinds of health aids, ranging from nutritional supplements and must-have medications to your walking shoes and gym membership card, can easily get lost under the piles of clutter you have.
• A cluttered home can make you embarrassed to invite folks over — so you deprive yourself of stress-busting social interactions.