TresSugar

Dear Poll: Are You Yearning For Mindless Entertainment?

DearSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:13:34 -0800

I don't know about you, but all I want to do to unwind when I get home from work these days is watch some mindless TV or read a trashy magazine. Not only can I get a good laugh out of it, but it's much less stressful than worrying about the economic crisis. If you've been feeling anxiety in the air lately, too, tell me, are you also yearning for some senseless entertainment to get your mind off things?

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The How-To Lounge: Calling in Sick, When You're Not

DearSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:30:00 -0800

We’re all human, which means there are mornings when we wake up wanting to skirt our responsibilities for the day. I don’t recommend playing hooky on a weekly or even monthly basis, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a mental health day now and then. There are responsible ways to get out of work for 24 hours and then there are completely silly ones. See my tips for the former when you read more.

As I said before, skipping out on work should be the exception not the rule, so make it count! Pick a day that you can actually enjoy off. The day before a huge project is due probably wouldn’t be the best choice.
Before you make the call, come up with your excuse. Keep in mind that faking a terrible cold isn’t going to work when you come into work the next day looking perfectly fine. The same goes for injured limbs! For more reasonable excuses, consider minor things like dental work.
When you finally make the call, avoid over-doing it with excuses or antics, like sniffling, fake coughing, etc.
Keep your explanation simple; don’t be afraid to just say you’re not feeling well and leave it at that.
Don’t post pictures of yourself out partying on the Internet. Some employers actually do check up on that. On the same note, don’t come into the office the next day sporting a new tan or acting like you just had the day off.

Understandably, many people feel guilty calling in sick when they’re not, but if you need a day off, you need a day off. Just make sure you don’t put your job at risk!

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The How-To Lounge: Enjoying a Saturday Night Alone

DearSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Since being alone can be scary for some people, and because even the most social person can end up spending a Saturday night alone every now and then, I’ve come up with a few ideas on how to enjoy such an evening by yourself. To embrace your solo side, just read more.

Don’t waste time trying to find someone to hang out with when you could be getting your own night started. Hours can go by waiting for a returned phone call, and I speak from experience when I say it’s not worth the wait.
Try picking out an activity that you’ve been wanting to do for a while but never had time to do or could never find someone to do it with. It could be as simple as curling up with the newest issues of your favorite magazines or as exotic as a long drive to a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. Just make sure it’s something you really want to do.
Let your body and mind have a rest by giving into the down time, and make it a complete detox night. Take a long hot bath, give yourself a pedicure, whip up something healthy, and pop in a yoga DVD.
Or try going in the completely opposite direction. Opt for your favorite junk food and eat it in front of the TV while you catch up on all your favorite shows!
And if you’re feeling particularly antsy, try doing something productive that will keep your mind off of things. Turn on your music and start organizing, or try your hand at baking.

No matter what you do, try to take advantage of your alone time instead of resenting it - you might be surprised by how good you feel the next day!

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The How-To Lounge: Living in the Present Moment

DearSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0700

In this rapid-fire, digital age, living in the present and enjoying the moment can seem about as possible as avoiding a computer monitor for one day. With the speed at which we communicate and interact, learning to take each moment as it comes is more important than ever. Where’s the satisfaction in anything if you can’t even take a minute to enjoy it? Keeping your mind in the here and now is no easy feat, so to see my tips read more.

Every time you feel yourself rushing through a moment or dreading the future, take a deep breath and pull yourself back to the present. The more you practice this, the more it will start to happen on its own. This is one habit that’s going to take a conscious effort to achieve, but just be patient with yourself.
Once you’ve made that push to the present, staying there is going to require an entirely different approach. Turn your attention to your physical senses. Take the time to notice how you feel, the energy around you, and what others are doing. It’s a tad meditative, but learning when to just be an observer is a great quality to possess.
With your head in the right place, it’s time to take some real action. Many of the things we tend to put off for another day can be done right now. Pick something that you’ve been wanting or needing to do, and just do it without the fuss and expectations that come from planning ahead.
Whether you’re dreading a future event or wishing that your present situation was a thing of the past, it’s important to find the good in the bad. Learning to see the positives and humor in your current or upcoming deplorable task will keep your mind from skipping ahead.
You may be surprised how taking your time to complete something will bring a sense of contentment to a mundane daily activity, like drinking your morning coffee. Even if it’s only an extra minute, actually allowing yourself to enjoy something will make lingering in the present moment a pleasure.

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Do Tell: What's Your Before Bed Routine?

DearSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0700

I like to watch television before bed after I soak in the tub; it’s my way of unwinding and getting to that sleepy place. Now, my roommate in college loved to talk. She could talk for hours before bed; it was her opportunity to process the things that had happened during the day and get everything off her chest. Sometimes she talked for so long, I couldn’t help drifting off. But of course, others like to read, talk on the phone, stick in some headphones, check email, or get physical with their bed buddy. So what about you? What’s your standard bedtime routine?

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What's MORE Relaxing?

DearSugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 08:00:00 -0700

I love any and every kind of massage. There is something so satisfying about closing your eyes and letting somebody touch you, and not having to do a thing but enjoy it.

When it comes to intimacy with a boyfriend, getting touched in a loving and nurturing way is both a huge turn-on and a way to get me completely relaxed. While I have a hard time choosing between a foot massage and a back massage, what I want to know is which do you find more relaxing?

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Do Tell: What Are Your Favorite Lounge Clothes?

DearSugar — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 06:00:00 -0800

When I get home, I peel off my work clothes and usually throw on a black camisole or tank, an old grey and black cardigan, and a pair of super comfortable, ridiculous-looking lounge pants. They have leopard spots, in silver and grey, and the material is some kind of velour-jersey hybrid, but they feel like butter. My partner now calls me Tigerpants or Tigerbutt because I wear them so much. Somehow the whole ensemble has come to equal relaxation or, at least, marks some kind of transition point in my evening.

Anyone else a little too attached to their cozy around-the-house wear? Do tell, what is it? Details please!

Relaxing Teas

DearSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:00:00 -0700

After a long day at work, I love to come home and and unwind with a nice hot cup of tea. In the morning and during the day, I choose uplifting green teas for the caffeine, but when the sun is going down, I sip relaxing flavors to help me relax. I make sure to choose herbal teas since they are naturally caffeine-free.

Here are some of my favorites...

Chamomile Tea	Sleepytime Extra
Organic Peppermint Tea	Tension Tamer	Organic Lemon Lavender Mint Herb Tea Choice Organic Teas

Relaxing Music to Melt Away a Stressful Day

DearSugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 11:00:00 -0700

When 5:30 rolls around, and I've had majorly stressful day at work, I want nothing more than to leave work, forget about my frustrations and unwind.

People de-stress in different ways depending on their mood. Sometimes I love going for a run by myself, meeting a friend for a drink, or slipping into a hot bubble bath. Sometimes I'd rather get a massage, write in my journal, or call my mom to vent.

Then other times I crave the peaceful tranquility of my home. I can be all alone, turn on some relaxing music, make myself a nice dinner, and soak in the serenity. Here are some of my favorite CDs. Be sure to share your favorite relaxing music in the comments below.

Kerala Dream	Above the Sound of Gravity
Yoga Lounge	Soulweaver
Rhythms of Peace	Etherea

East vs. West: Berlin Wall Divided Two Attitudes Toward Nudity

TresSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:49 -0800

When the Berlin Wall fell 20 years ago last week, East and West Germany had to integrate two very different cultures. Freedom may have spread quickly through the East, but nudity - the East's favorite and perhaps only freedom - never caught on in the West.

Freikörperkultur (FKK), or liberal body culture, was really the only way to rebel in the East, where the most quotidian details of people's lives were observed by the Stasi, East Germany's secret police. Though the East German government forbid FKK at first, many government officials were into walking around nude, so they protested with the argument that "doing FKK" did not mean you weren't a good communist. Good point - don't they put kids in school uniforms to level the playing field? What's more egalitarian than wearing nothing!

Yet on the west side of the wall, the attitude toward nudity was more on par with America and its don't-even-discuss-it-in-public ethos. A West German interviewed a former East German for Vice magazine to find out what's so great about wearing nothing. Check out some of the highlights after the jump.