Top 4 Places to Reduce Stress Around Covington and Slidell

Stress not only makes it harder to enjoy the people and activities you love, but also has a negative impact on your health. April is National Stress Awareness Month, and April 16 is National Stress Awareness Day, so we’ve assembled four of our favorite places in the Covington and Slidell area to help you unwind after a long day.

1. Relax Station Studio
2000 Barataria Blvd Suite B, Marrero

Massages are wonderful for relaxing your body and mind, especially after a particularly demanding week. Relax Station Studio offers an array of massage techniques and will custom-tailor your massage treatment to suit your needs. The owner and therapist, June Apperson, has more than nine years of experience and aims to make every appointment special and productive. She offers massages as short as 30 minutes or as long as 120 minutes and will incorporate hot stone massage upon request.

2. Earthsavers Spa
3301 Veterans Blvd, Matairie

Are you craving a facial, a manicure or even a full spa treatment? Pampering yourself with a little self-care is a great way to relieve stress, and Earthsavers Spa offers these services and more. Their pedicures are incredibly relaxing, using peppermint lotion to release toxins and increase your energy, while their dead sea mud treatment—a full spa treatment—will pamper you from head to toe.

3. Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
Access From Lock 1, 2, or 3 along Hwy 41, Slidell

Spending time in nature, whether you're hiking, fishing or just observing wildlife, can relax your mind and ease your stress. The Bogue Chitto Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 3,600 acres of forest and swampland that are occupied by unique plant and animal species. You can walk the maintained trails, fish in certain rivers and streams, and take photos of animals such as blue heron, white ibis and even alligators. The Holmes Bayou Trail, which offers a view of the bayou, is a great place to start exploring.

4. Bayou Yoga
1800 W Causeway Approach #114, Mandeville

Any form of exercise is great for alleviating stress, but yoga may be the best. The stretches and poses relax your mind while challenging your body. Bayou Yoga is a relaxing yoga studio that welcomes people of all experience levels, from beginners to advanced. "Build Your Power" is a great beginner-level Vinyasa class that focuses on connecting with your breath and is held each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. Power Flow Express is a faster-paced class held from 12 to 12:45 p.m., so you can fit it in during your lunch hour.

How do you like to relax and relieve stress in the Covington and Slidell area? Share your favorite places and strategies for relaxation and stress-relieving exercise in the comments below!