For many people, writing in a journal is something we've all done, vowing to keep at it and quitting within the week. But what most of us don't know is that journaling can actually reduce anxiety and stress – in fact, journaling about our worries helps get rid of them and helps us perform better in daily life. If you didn't have a reason to journal before, why not do it for your mental health? If you have a notebook and pen in hand but don't know quite what to write about, look out the window for inspiration. What do you hear? What kind of trees are those? Those birds, what are they? What are you noticing that you didn't notice before? You probably know that doing brain games and reading books are good for you intellectually, but did you also know that they're good for eliminating stress and taking your mind off of your worries? Having something else to concentrate on may be all you need. It's not just crossword puzzles, of course. You could also take a load off with sudoku, word finds, or other math and word puzzles, too. We all need to remind ourselves sometimes that we are cared for and safe – even by our own selves. Take a morning, afternoon, or evening and just do whatever makes you feel good. You could sit in bed with an avocado face mask on while you paint your nails, put a hot oil mixture on your hair, or just lie down with a heated massage pad and soak the moment in. Sometimes there's too much on our minds to spend time primping. If that rings true for you, instead, take this time to organize your mind, writing down to-do lists, planning out your budget or meals for the week, and just getting a firm hold on the steering wheel of your life. When you have this feeling, the rest could fall into place. All right, so in general, electronics are bad. But that being said, some people do find TV in bed to be a good way to wind down from the stress of everyday life. If this sounds familiar, don’t try to unwind with your favorite crime drama or even the news (since most of it is so negative). Stick to something light and cheerful to keep your brain light and cheerful. Your favorite old-school sitcom is a good bet. Find a program where you can turn your brain off and enjoy the laughs. Avoid the ones that make you worry or evoke a negative emotional reaction, like fear or anger. In addition to the feeling of having something warm in your hands being quite comforting, tea itself can help you relax and destress. Passionflower and chamomile are especially good if you’re looking to go to sleep, and green tea is good for destressing and getting rid of anger.  Add honey to your tea for an extra stress-fighting boost. It supposedly reduces inflammation in the brain, lowering depression and anxiety. But be careful not to get crumbs in the sheets! If you’re looking for a snack, here’s a few things to put on your relax-in-bed menu:  Dark chocolate. Just a little bit (about an ounce and a half) has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, which is the hormone in your body that produces stress. It may also be able to help regulate your metabolism.  Mango. This fruit has high amounts of linalool, which has also been shown to be a serious stress-buster.  Chewing gum.  And it doesn’t matter the flavor, either. Just a few minutes of chewing can help lower stress levels, or so recent science has shown.  Anything crunchy. Stressed individuals tend to crave crunchy things, and it seems that crunching away can be a stress-reducer. So grab a handful of nuts or celery and start working on your peace of mind. We all know that feeling of holding an adorable kitten, puppy, or even baby. It warms our hearts and puts our mind in a good place. Now imagine that feeling in bed! That feeling of unconditional love will seep into your veins and you’ll never want to get out of bed. It turns out that owning a pet has health benefits too. Owners of furry, four-legged friends tend to have lower blood pressure levels and are at lower risk for depression. Sometimes all we need to relax is just to get out of the past or the present and delve ourselves into the potential of the future. Grab a notebook and start working on something you can look forward to, like a vacation. Picture the locale in your mind. What do you want to do? Where do you want to go? This is should be thought of as a sort of practical visualization. You’re not only thinking of how wonderful your destination is, but also how happy you’ll be. It may also serve as motivation to save up money, get in shape, and feel good about where your life is going.

Summary: Write in your journal. Do a crossword puzzle or read a book. Primp yourself. If you do watch TV, watch something light and cheerful. Bring to bed a cup of hot tea. If you’d like, relax with a stress-fighting snack. Cuddle with a pet or a child. Start planning your vacation.


Your doctor may prescribe anti allergy creams or medication to help with any discomfort or itching. You can also buy over-the-counter antihistamine cream to help with these symptoms. Apply the cream as directed on the package. These are both triggering factors for HIV rashes, and can make your HIV rash worse.  If you are going to go outside, apply sunscreen to your body to protect your skin or wear long sleeves and pants. Wear a coat and warm clothing when going outside to avoid exposing your skin to extreme cold. Hot water will irritate your rash. Skip the hot baths or showers and go for a cold water bath or sponge bath to soothe your skin. You can use lukewarm water and pat, rather than rub, at your skin in the shower or the bath. Apply an all natural moisturizer to your skin to help it heal, such as creams that contain coconut oil or aloe vera, as soon as you get out of the bath or shower. The top layer of your skin is like a sponge, so applying moisturizer once you have stimulated your pores will trap water inside your skin and prevent dryness. Chemical based soap can irritate your skin and cause dryness and itching. Look for mild soap, such as baby soap, or herbal body wash at your local drugstore.  Avoid products that contain chemicals such as Petrolatum; Methyl-, Propyl-, Butyl-, Ethylparaben; and Propylene Glycol. These are all synthetic ingredients that can irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. You can also make your own herbal body wash with natural moisturizers like olive oil, aloe vera, and almond oil. Be sure to apply all natural moisturizer right after your bath or shower and throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated. Clothing made of synthetic or non breathable fibers can cause you to sweat and make your skin more irritated. Tight clothing can also rub against your skin and worsen the HIV rash. Let the anti-HIV medication prescribed by your doctor run its course. It will improve your t-cell count and can treat symptoms like HIV rash, as long as you are not having an allergic reaction to the medicine.

Summary: Apply medicated cream to the rash. Avoid direct sunlight or extreme cold. Take cold water baths and showers. Switch to mild soap or herbal body wash. Wear soft cotton clothing. Continue to take antiviral drugs.


All of these things divert your attention from driving, and can put you and others at risk for accidents. If you need to do anything that could inhibit your ability to focus on the road, simply pull over. If you’re half asleep, it will be difficult for you to concentrate on driving. If you catch your eyes starting to close, or you drift, this is a sign you shouldn’t be on the road anymore. Find a rest stop or a hotel so you don’t endanger yourself or others. This will help you to be continuously aware of the drivers that are beside and behind you. Make sure your mirrors are properly positioned to minimize blind spots. Keep an eye out for all traffic notifications, such as speed limit, safety, construction, and hazard signs. These will help guide your driving and lower your risk of accidents.
Summary: Eliminate distractions like phones, loud music, or eating. Pull over if you’re tired. Check your mirrors regularly. Follow posted traffic regulations.