Beating the Blues: Spring’s Stress Awareness Month

This April is Stress Awareness Month, and it’s needless to say that we can hardly avoid it. Work, School, Responsibilities—they make it tough to relax.

Issues are not without solutions, nonetheless! Portland is filled to the brim with resources for letting the good times roll and leaving all those taxing feelings behind.

For a tried and true, classic relaxation activity, Kiva Tea Cafe and Spa offers a perfect combo of relaxing massage treatments and a wide variety of teas. If you’re traditional about how you like to unwind, check it out.

If you’re looking for something a little more broad—and a lot cheaper—Forest Park in NW Portland is full of trails to suit your fancy and offers endless views of the city’s rich nature. Plus, if you’re into jogging, May-October hosts the weekly trail running races.

More into cat-therapy? Purrington’s Lounge in NE Portland sells food and drink and has a room full of adoptable cats that you can hang out with. A dream if you like animals!

If you’re more into some musical stress-relief, PRP has—of course!—got you covered. Below is a list of albums that are serenely-apt for rocking the stress away.

Atlanta Millionaires: Faye Webster – Soulful, Folky, and all-around relaxing! Best to listen to on a Sunday morning.

Simon and Garfunkel: Bridge Over Troubled Water – A folk staple! Perfect blend of upbeat and acoustic tunes.

Hayley Heynderickx: I Need To Start A Garden – A Portland artist with acoustic gems and serene vocals alike. A quick 8-track album for unwinding.

Truly, there are so many things effecting stress—and a myriad of ways to help relieve it. Whether you’re at work or on the way to a beach, remember to let yourself unwind and listen to some good tunes.

Happy April from PRP!