Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes and cures for our modern-day stress-filled lives. It is the time when we have an opportunity for an open conversation on the impact of stress, and removing the guilt, shame, and stigma around mental health support. Managing stress happens in many different ways, and Portland business districts are brimming with businesses to help us all manage stress. Consider visiting one of these local small businesses in this last week of April to get some self-care and stress relief!

  • Central Eastside: Have you ever tried hot yoga? Modo Yoga is a community of independent hot yoga studios, united in their dedication to create a more sustainable world.
  • Beaumont: Fremont Street has a number of different locations for self-care but right next to each other are Honeydew Salon and Retreat Beauty Lounge. Visit Honeydew for a new hairdo and then head next door to Retreat for nails, brows, skincare, and makeup!
  • Foster: Sharing space in the Historic Phoenix Pharmacy Building, Marta Lange, LMT and MABODYWORK offer the kind of self-care everyone deserves and needs: massage. Book a session today!
  • Greater Brooklyn: Live music can be an amazing way to get stress relief and the Aladdin Theater is just the spot! They have a beautiful balcony to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
  • Hawthorne: Caring for houseplants is a good form stress relief and Ecovibe has a fantastic selection. They are a black-owned, family-operated lifestyle brand that offers a thoughtfully curated selection of home goods, and gifts. They also have a location on Alberta Street.
  • Lents: Align Wellness is a spa that offers integrative health solutions. Their specialty is intuitive bodywork and vibroacoustic sound therapy, plus they have a sauna!
  • Lloyd: Lloyd Athletic Club is a friendly and inclusive-focused gym offering a range of wellness classes, personal training, free weights, machines, hot tubs, steam-rooms, saunas, and court sports like basketball, pickleball, wallyball, handball, racquetball, and squash!
  • Midway: Art is self-care! Arte Soleil hosts art therapy, a mental health therapeutic process that enriches lives through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience.
  • Mississippi Ave: Sage Crystals is a female-owned, all-natural crystal and metaphysical shop that specializes in ethically sourced gems, minerals, and jewelry.
  • Montavilla: Fill your cup at The Way Home Shop. They offer classes, readings, and tea, and have a sweet shop with items to inspire.
  • Multnomah Village: Whitestone Wellness specializes in massage therapy and sports injury wellness.
  • St. Johns: Breathe is a collective of providers who help individuals care for themselves through a variety of disciplines. They all believe in a whole body and spirit approach to wellness.
  • Williams District: Pure Sweat Sauna Studio is the perfect place to visit if you are feeling stressed. They offer infrared sauna, cold plunge, and community-based wellness activities.

Where do you like to do self-care in Portland? Tag us on Instagram and Facebook!