Mood booster of the month

Shape, Jan, 2006 by Amanda Kawalek

To tackle stress, simply inhale and exhale. With The Breathe Easy Deck: 36 Energy Exercises for Mind, Body, and Spirit by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber ($10; Chronicle Books, 2005), you can call a timeout on anxiety by focusing on your breathing. The cards hold phrases such as "I am balanced," "I am loved" and "I am grateful," followed by other affirmations and visualizations that help you meditate while practicing relaxing breathing techniques.

Keep the deck in a convenient spot, like your desk, purse or nightstand, to re-center yourself.