Forbes reported that Chicago is the most stressful city in the United States. The magazine compared statistics such as the number of sunny days, the unemployment rate and the cost of living, among others. For the business traveler in Chicago, here are three ways to unwind after a long, stressful day.
Get a massage. Daily Candy is running a promotion right now in conjunction with Hyatt Pure Spas. Otherwise, Chicago Spa Deals abound at SpaFinder.com.
Take up a hobby. You could take a mosaic class from Chicago Mosaic School or a knitting class from The Needle Shop. There’s also glass blowing at the Art Institute of Chicago and circus arts from The Actors Gymnasium.
Volunteer. Idealist.org is the most comprehensive list of volunteer activities in the Chicago area. There’s also Craig’s List. Most of the nonprofits are always looking for some kind of help.
De-stressing after a long day at the office is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. WebMD writes that stress “can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases.” Fewer health problems means fewer missed days of work, which means better performance on the job overall. So you can take that time you’ve spent relaxing in Chicago corporate housing all the way to the bank.