Photo: ThinkstockBy Kelly DiNardo

Yet another reason to say "namaste": A small 2010 study found that regular yoga practice may reduce inflammation in the body. "Inflammation, which can be triggered by stress, can worsen allergy attacks," says immunologist Gailen D. Marshall Jr., MD, PhD, who recommends yoga to his stressed-out patients.


We asked yoga instructor Sara Gottfried, MD, for the three best moves to help you feel better.

Alternate-Nostril Breathing

A 2008 study found that alternate nostril breathing-one of the most common breathing exercises in yoga-can increase your body's relaxation response.

Try it: Cover your right nostril and inhale through your left for a count of ten. Hold your breath for five seconds. Then cover your left nostril and exhale through your right for a count of ten. Inhale through your right nostril and hold for five seconds. Cover your right nostril again and exhale through your left. Do three more rounds.

RELATED: 6 Things Women With Gorgeous Skin Do Every

By Michelene Cleary, for SparkPeople

I've often watched the young female gymnasts in competition in a state of awe and wonder. How do they do all those jumps and twirls on the balance beam without falling off and make it look so easy in the process? The precision, the focus, the leap in the face of fear mentality - how do I get some of that?

Maybe that routine on the balance beam is like the healthy lifestyle to you. Some days there seems to be no balance and you can't get all the things in order to make it work. You're juggling the job, the family, the pets, the bills, the laundry, the housework, the yard work, or some combination of all those things and more. How are you supposed to fit in exercise, healthy grocery shopping, time to prep and
cook meals, plan meals for the next day or week? It's daunting, frustrating, and frankly you might just want to give up. Well don't.

The thing about those gymnasts on TV is they didn't show up at the training facility yesterday and jump into

.We interrupt your regularly scheduled exercise program for this important message: Repeatedly doing the same workout sets you up for fitness failure. Cross-training, or mixing up types of activity, is a smart way to speed results. "Fitness is a three-piece equation: flexibility, strength training, and cardio. Ignoring one component leaves you more prone to injury," says Geralyn Coopersmith, an exercise physiologist and national director of the Equinox Fitness Training Institute. Find the best match for your current workout below. Aim to switch up your routine 2 or 3 times a week. (Is it time to revamp your fitness routine altogether? See these 10 Signs Your Workout Needs a Makeover to find out.)






Primary Workout Yoga
Mix it up With This + Swimming

Here's Why Most forms of yoga aren't rigorous enough to meet your cardiovascular needs. Supercharge your slim-down with this low-impact workout that burns major calories.

Try Now: 20 Ways to Swim Yourself Slim!

Primary Workout Walking or

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute Engineering Lab put 26 six- to 12-sheet cross-cut shredders through their paces. We spent 40 hours feeding 'em paper (sometimes stapled or paper-clipped) and CDs to assess speed, safety, and noise levels. We also noted how easily they jammed or overheated and how much mess they left in their wake around the recycling bin.

Protect your identity with one of the five document-demolishing devices that aced our tests.

Black and Decker Studio Shredder1. Black & Decker Studio Shredder
6 sheets at a time ($48, amazon.com)

At 16" x 13" x 4", this stylish, lightweight device is ideal for small spaces and rolls easily to where you need it. Its pullout bin makes cleanup a snap - and we love the brilliant color.

2. Fellowes Powershred 73CI
16" x 21" x 11"; 12 sheets ($200, amazon.com)

A top choice for any office prone to pop-ins from pets or kids, it shuts off automatically if the paper slot is touched. Plus, it won't allow "overfeeding," so essentially,

Find out the best compact umbrellasThe only thing worse than getting caught in the rain without a brolly is being stuck with one that is flimsy or falls apart. That's why the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Textiles Lab evaluated 31 compact folding models for resistance to heavy rain and to turning inside out (inversion), as well as for ease of use. We also measured length, weight, and canopy diameter to help you find the ideal tote-able - and save your looks on your next good hair day.

Top Picks

Storm Warrior
Samsonite Windguard Auto Open Close ($30, amazon.com)

Fabric held fast to spokes with over 35 pounds of pulling force applied. Easy to operate.

Related: Best Rain Gear for Women

Lightweight Wonder
ShedRain RainEssentials Auto Open and Close ($32, amazon.com)

Just 0.45 lbs., and durable in inversion and spoke tests. Provides good coverage, too.

Related: Best Beach Umbrellas

Smallest Winnder
Totes Signature Micro 'Brella ($24, amazon.com)

This manual model has highly

Think of this as your ultimate cleaning checklist: Easy ways to get your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, laundry room, and patio in tip-top shape for spring.


Kitchen

1. De-Smudge Windows
A simple mixture of two parts water to one part white distilled vinegar is all you need for a streak-free finish on windows and glass surfaces. Wipe the inside of windows from side to side, and the outside of windows from top to bottom.

2. Clean Around and Inside Appliances
Sanitize your dishwasher by placing a shallow dish of vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher and run it (empty) on a long sanitation cycle to kill fungi.

3. Create a Natural Air Freshener
Whip up a room deodorizer on the stovetop by simmering orange rinds or lemon slices and rosemary in a pot of water. The scent will freshen your space.


Plus: How to keep white carpeting bright and clean »



Bathroom

4. Clean Your Counter
Organizer MaryJo Monroe of Respaced says those little bottles of lotions and potions are

It's not just as simple as frying - there's a science behind itIs there anything better than a crunchy, salty potato chip?

Created in 1853 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., potato chips were originally meant to be a prank in response to a surly customer complaining about his potato fries being "too thick," but their thin, crisp qualities turned out to be something very different than a joke. "Saratoga chips" instantly became a hit, and their popularity traveled from upstate New York to all around the country. By the 1920s they had become a well-known and popular snack, and potato chip manufacturing companies starting popping up everywhere in the culinary industry.

Check out the World's 10 Craziest Potato Chip Flavors

The widely distributed chip is one of America's favorite snacks, and with so many brands and varieties available, potato chips continue to be one of the most popular food items that you can buy. And while you can walk into any convenience store, gas station, or supermarket and pick up a bag, the Cook editors here believe that

Homemade baby food.

Making your own baby food is one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do for your family. It's also the best way you can control what goes into your baby's body. You can choose organic or non-GMO foods and also be assured that there are no artificial ingredients or unnecessary additives. It's fun, easy, and incredibly gratifying. So let's get started!

Choosing Your Ingredients

For both nutrition and taste, choose the freshest ingredients you can find. Choose fruits that are nearly ripe and free from bruises. Vegetables should be crisp and bright. Quality matters with meats, too, so be selective with your choices.

Feeding your baby organic, non-GMO foods is a healthy choice, but you may not always be able to find these options. Just like everything else in motherhood, you should try your best but be prepared to go to plan B.

Preparing Your Workstation

I suggest getting your work station all set up before you begin. Have your cook pots and steamer out on the