You Might Like: Ideas to Help You De-Stress

Welcome to You Might Like, The Persistent’s recommendations column. Every Friday we’ll share a list of things that Persistent staff, contributors, writers and illustrators are loving—things we think you might like, too.

Maybe you had a wild Friendsgiving and you’re nursing a hangover. Maybe you hosted all of your in-laws and you are ready to spend a day in bed recovering. Maybe you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving at all but the weight of the world is weighing on you. We get it.

If you’re feeling a little ugh today this list is for you. From long walks in the woods to podcasts that make us laugh and comfort movies and homemade bath salts, we’re here to help you take it easy. 

Enjoy! 

Walk & Read: I’m lucky to live near a small woods and whenever the stress of life gets to be too much I go on a short walk no matter the season. Truly no time spent  in nature is ever wasted. If I really need to clear my mind I pair my walk with a random page in  "Devotions, Selected Poems by Mary Oliver." This beautiful book has more than 200 poems, and never fails to inspire me. I dare you to read "Wild Geese" or "The Summer Day" and not feel better about your wild and precious life and your place is this broken world. 
– Kathleen Davis, executive editor 

Breathe in: When I worked in magazines, one of my bosses always kept a Jo Malone grapefruit scented candle on her text, and whenever she'd call me in (or call me on the carpet), I couldn't help but take a surreptitious sniff or two. 
– Paula Derrow, features editor

Listen: Amy Poehler is an absolute delight a the host of the Good Hang Podcast. As is every interview she does with every guest she's had on—including her pre-interviews with friends of each guest. I have not yet missed an episode and it's always a highlight of my week that gets me smiling and laughing.
— Melanie Winer, advisor

Soak: Is there anything better than a hot delicious-smelling bath on a chilly evening? My sister’s bath salts are a blend of Himalayan and Epsom salts, rose and lavender petals, and essential oils of lavender, clary sage, frankincense, bergamot, and my all time favorite, jasmine. Handmade by her in Buffalo, N.Y., she launched Apricus Haus products after years of researching natural skin products that wouldn't aggravate her family's chronic skin issues. (Including yours truly!)
— Cat Willett, illustrator 

Apply: A friend gifted me this lovely roller eye soother: Ocean Eyes Age-Defying Eye Serum.
—Melissa Jun Koshal, designer

Watch: Comfort movies: The Devil Wears Prada, Legally Blonde, Waiting to Exhale, Clueless. In shorter daylight days, I want more feel good things in my life and these movies always do the trick. 
— Grace Williams, contributing writer 

Craft: Junk journaling, a form of scrapbooking that relies on scraps from your daily life instead of pre-purchased papers and stickers, is my primary stress relief these days. I will spend hours gluing receipts, business cards, and other pieces of memorabilia into my journal while the world burns around me.
– Han Goldstein, social media editor

What are you obsessed with right now? Send your recommendations to hello@persistent.com and we might feature them in a future edition of You Might Like. We’ll be back with more next Friday!