When work, men, and laundry have you ready to pluck your hair out strand by strand it’s time to de-stress! Some people need a quite bubble bath, candles and a good book to calm their tension, while others get their jollies by shaking out their frustration on the dance floor. I’m with that latter group and find myself blasting upbeat tunes to loosen up and relax. Chances are even the most determined wall flowers have found themselves dancing around their bedroom (behind closed doors) in underwear, flipping their hair and lip syncing in the mirror. It feels so good, why not?!

So, I thought I’d give us all an excuse to let off a little steam. Here’s a playlist of my favorite hair thrashing songs to get you amped:

Several a summer mornings you’ll find me sunscreen and towel in hand, waiting for the first glimmer of sun to peak through the fog. Growing up in a surf town like Santa Cruz, life revolves around the beach and surf. The guys adamantly check the surf report searching for the days best tides and waves, while the girls don their bikinis and shades in preparation for another lazy day of basking in the sun and chatting up cute boys who happen to wonder by. Life can’t get much better!

Long days at the beach, though fantastic, can’t exist without some essentials. Beach bums worship the sun knowing they must protect their skin and hair vehemently from UVA/B rays. With that in mind, here’s my list of beach bum necessities and a few not so vital must haves.

1.) Duh…Sunscreen: When it comes to sun block the Hawaiians know what’s up. HIC (Hawaiian Island Creations) created the strongest defense against both UVA and UVB rays. Available in either a 30 or 50 SPF, this long lasting, stay put formula is slathered on by some of the top pro surfers in the world. When you’re in and out of the water, or dripping sweat from an intense volleyball match, you’ll be covered with no worries about the block running in your eyes. Don’t miss out on their 30 SPF lip balm either. Lips are the most sensitive skin on the face, and sadly almost always neglected. Coat yourself head to toe 20 minutes before heading to the beach.

2.) A Shield For Hair? The sun is notorious for lightening even the most permanent die job. Shield the sun by running a treatment mask or conditioner with UV-deflecting ingredients. These products seal hair’s cuticle layer to help prevent fading. Toss a hat in your beach bag or spritz on a leave-in conditioner like Ouidad Sun Shield Spray, $20.

3.) Accessories Galore: You’ll need a big tote to haul your beach gear.
Pack one of these with:

-Towel
-Hat
-Shades
-Frisbee or other tossable goodie
-Reusable H20 bottle
-Sunscreen
-Beer- optional, but always highly recommended and appreciated.

4.) Slippers: Otherwise known as flip flops or sandals, you’ll need some protection when walking or riding from the beach. My style, barefoot all the way. Keep a few cheap bright colored pair around.

5.) To and Fro: Parking will forever be a nightmare at any beach parking lot, so spare yourself the stress and cruise to the water. Hop onto one of these babies.

Now that you’re all set to hit the sand, relax and soak it all in.

The last time I checked we only have one life, one time, one chance to experience the world. Kind of scary yes?! But that’s exactly why we can’t waste a minute on this fabulous planet. What’s the point of negativity, playing it safe, and stress. This is your life and you have the ability to create who you are, and then go play.

Most recently for my 23rd birthday last week I had the amazing opportunity to skydive. While jumping from a perfectly good plane might seem like total insanity to you… it puts life in perspective and throws you into the reality of existence. If there’s one thing I have learned through my very short life it’s that taking risks is the first step in creating change and growth in yourself. Whether it’s bungee jumping, ending a long term relationship, or opening your own business, we must be daring and courageous. When you are at the end of your fantastic run in life you don’t want to look back and regret a thing. Act now, make the decision, and dive in to life!

Without challenge, fear and reckless abandonment for your passions the glass ceiling will stop an inch above your head. In my personal life and probably in some of yours, it’s time to (I hate to say it) but man up and soak up the trials and successes. Because after all, in the end what “matters most is how much did you love, how much did you learn, how much did you live.”

Amber Skydiving from Eddie D on Vimeo.

“Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been and there you long to return.”
-Leonardo da Vinci
Pioneer of Human Flight

Ririan Project: If you’re like me at this time of year the travel bug starts to creep into your psyche and all you can dream about is the day you’ll be splashing in the turquoise water of some far off locale. But, what about right here and now? We can’t always be off roaming the world, so here are some fun ways to experience the benefits of traveling without going anywhere.

Glam Spirit: Find mental clarity and ease in the body by practicing the ancient Chinese art of Qi Gong. This 5,000 year old practice fuses meditation, relaxation, breathing and movement to balance the mind, body and spirit. Learn more and find a practitioner from GlamSpirit.

Fitsugar: Can’t find a partner yoga class near you? All you need is a visual and simple instruction, so check out Fitsugar’s recommended partner yoga book. Share a smile with your partner while hanging upside down… super fun!

Zen Habits: Spring has finally blossomed and now it’s time to clean up and clear out our homes. Diving into spring cleaning is overwhelming, but so worth the effort. While I spent a whole day turning my place upside down, there’s no reason you can’t spread out the process. Here are 18 five minute decluttering tips from Leo over at Zen Habits.

Have you Floated today? And no I’m not talking about your typical float in a pool, the ocean, or even a bath tub. I’m referencing a brand new relaxation method called Floating.

Utilizing a revolutionary scientific approach to deep relaxation called R.E.S.T (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique), Flotation eliminates all sensory stress to the body allowing the mind and body to fall into the deepest state of relaxation on earth.

After hearing about this extraodinary method from a dancer friend of mine, I was intrigued, to say the least, and dug up some research. Here’s what I found!

If you’re looking to de-stress (and seriously who isn’t) then imagine falling into a calm state considered purer and more beneficial than sleep. This deep relaxation is created through the use of a sound and light proof floatation pod in which you float effortlessly on the surface of 10 inches of water that is saturated with 800lbs of medical grade Epsom salt and 100 million year old Himalayan salt. It is set to your skin temperature to give the sensation of floating “out of body”.

Apparently, “Scientists estimate that up to 90% of the brain’s normal workload is caused by the effects of gravity on muscles and the nervous system as well as sensory stimuli that needs to be processed.

The float tank screens out these external physical stimuli, creating a pure state of “sensory” relaxation. Under these unique conditions your body has a chance to restore its natural powers of self regulation, while you simply lie back and rediscover the latent abilities of a deeply relaxed mind.”

Sounds fantastic right?! Like I have mentioned before, there is a vast connection between the mind, body and spirit. Reducing tension in the body inevitably relaxes the mind and visa versa. While meditation and mindfulness calm the mind and in turn relax the body, floating creates an environment that reduces all stressors on the body, allowing you to fall into deep levels of consciousness. Floating actually activates parts of the brain and consciousness that only Zen monks and other yogi’s can access through deep meditation.

I have already scheduled my appointment at the Float Matrix here in San Francisco to give it a whirl. I’ll be sure to follow up and let you know how it goes! Check into it and see if any spa’s or holistic centers near you offer Floating. For only $75 dollars an hour (cheaper than a massage) I’m considering scheduling several appointments.