Relax! This test will show if you're stressed. Also, how forest bathing and sound can help.

Plus: how to combat urgency culture, the benefits (or not) of ashwagandha, and how sound can actually help quiet your mind. [SOUNDBATHING]( [VIEW ONLINE]( [SOUNDBATHING]( [National Geographic]( THE COMPASS Stressed? Discover ways to relax, from [forest bathing]( to [rewilding and yoga]( and a chill [four-hour Nat Geo nature soundtrack](. What can nature [do to your brain]( Do you need to slow down? [Take this test to find out]( [A forest in Uruguay]( PHOTOGRAPH BY TALI KIMELMAN [TAKE ME TO THE FOREST NOW]( The secret to mindful travel? A walk in the woods. Visit these five destinations to practice [the Japanese art of forest bathing](. [LOSE YOURSELF IN THE WOODS]( [Man rests after hiking in Bukhansan National Park]( MICROGRAPH BY MICHAEL W. DAVIDSON, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY [WHAT IS SEROTONIN— AND CAN YOU REALLY BOOST IT?]( Many supplements claim to help boost your mood by flooding your body with serotonin. But experts say the neurotransmitter’s role is [far from settled science.]( [A BRAIN BOOST]( [Flashing graphic of stress test]( [DO I NEED TO SLOW DOWN?]( This 10-question test can answer that right away. First developed by psychologists in 1983, this stress test implements one of the most widely used stress perception tools in the world. [Can it help you]( [TAKE THE TEST]( GOOD READS From rewilding to yoga and pilgrimages: [How you can travel for wellness]( [Does ashwagandha actually relieve stress]( [What is topical steroid withdrawal? If you have eczema, here’s what you should know](. [What should you know about cortisol]( [Urgency culture can lead to burnout. So how can you combat it]( [20 stress-relieving gifts for the frazzled friend in your life]( [A woman sitting cross-legged as she meditates on tiny islet set in a mountain valley stream]( PHOTOGRAPH BY DAWN KISH, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION [HOW TO QUIET YOUR MIND]( One way is with sound: While managing your racing thoughts to meditate can be a challenging task, sound can be a highly effective tool to ground your mind. [Explore the benefits of sound]( and how sound in meditation can help you slow down to focus. [SINKING INTO SOUND]( GIVE THE GIFT OF CALM—AND A GOOD NIGHT’S REST Quality sleep is absolutely essential to your mood and your ability to manage the stress of everyday life. [Here are some sleep products we’ve recommended]( designed to help you snooze in peace. By clicking on the featured links, visitors will leave NationalGeographic.com and be directed to third-party e-commerce sites that operate under different terms and privacy policies. As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, National Geographic will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below.* PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON [Soundcore by Anker Sleep Earbuds]( These Anker earbuds were our top pick for the best sleep headphones. We love the auto-sleep mode that switches from streamed audio to preloaded white noise when the earbuds detect that you’re asleep. [BUY NOW AT AMAZON]( PHOTO COURTESY OF OURA RING [Oura Sleep Ring]( Worn on your finger like a traditional ring, the Oura gathers sleep data like quantity and quality, plus data like blood oxygen rate and heart rate variability to help you monitor your sleep and overall health. [BUY NOW AT OURA RING]( PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON [Hatch Restore 2]( This sound machine offers everything from meditation to help you drift to sleep and a sunrise alarm, where a light is brightened gradually to support your circadian rhythm. [BUY NOW AT AMAZON]( PHOTO COURTESY OF BALOO LIVING [Baloo Weighted Blanket]( This cotton blanket mimics the sensation of a grounding embrace, providing a cozy and therapeutic sleep experience—and it’s sustainably made without harmful chemicals. [BUY NOW AT BALOO LIVING]( [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [READ OUR LATEST STORIES]( [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [FB]( [IG]( *Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication. Clicking on the Facebook, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply. This email was sent to: {EMAIL}. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored. This email contains an advertisement from: National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 [Stop all types of future commercial email]( from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences. © 2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.