Re-VITAL-ize

The stress of unemployment is growing among everyone. For us in the non-working world, we feel nervous and discouraged about how long it is taking to find a job. Even those still fortunate enough to have their jobs feel the pressure to work twice as hard just to earn half of what they should be making. Unemployment is the thousand-pound gorilla in the room that nobody wants to talk about. In Harry Potter speak, unemployment is "he who must not be named."

We just need to get away from it all. Go somewhere peaceful and restorative for our minds, bodies and souls. Unfortunately, taking a week-long paid vacation to Promises right now is not the best way to show your boss that you're serious about keeping your job. And taking a spa day at the Mandarin Oriental will cost you your life savings. So those options are out.

Thankfully for us whacked-out, high-strung, face-paced New Yorkers, VitalJuice has set up a three-day "Recessionista Wellness Retreat." Today through Saturday at the former Virgin store in Union Square, VitalJuice is offering fitness classes, spa treatments, health foods and more goodies. And did I mention everything is gratis? That's free if you didn't get it.

Click here for the work-out class schedule, all powered by Crunch fitness.

If you're still confused because this doesn't involve an excel sheet or a presentation, I've organized it for you in four easy steps:

Step 1- Burn some calories and release endorphins at Street Fighter or Hula Hoop pilates class

Step 2 - Get a relaxing massage

Step 3 - Sip on some herbal tea while you learn about nutrition

(Steps 1 - 3 can be repeated if necessary)

Step 4 - Walk out of the pop-up spa a rejuvenated person and try to forget the stresses of life for a day. Or at least a few hours.