If only there were a switch for stress so we can flip it whenever overwhelmed by it. As ridiculous as it may sound, it is very much possible. Although there is a lot you have to work to get that control, you can do it with persistence.
According to recent statistics, every one in five individuals in the USA faces mental health issues. And a majority of which are related to stress, depression, and anxiety.
Stress builds up in your daily life. It can be a petty argument with your partner or getting stuck in a traffic jam before work. There is no way that you can change what comes your way, in this case, stress. You surely can change the way you react to it, which will make you feel much lively and better.
If your stress is spreading out to all spheres of your life, then the following few tips will help you on your journey to recovery.
Identify Your Stress Factors
Before you begin working on managing your stress, you need to work out what stresses you out. Most people fail to make lifestyle changes to fight stress because they do not know where to begin or where to look for the results.
You usually stress out when you lose control or fear losing control. Sound familiar?
To elaborate, stress from a workplace comes when you have too many tasks than you can handle. Similarly, you get nosy in a traffic jam because you can't control getting out of there.
Identifying your stress factors will help you avoid them. For example, if you get stuck in traffic every morning, changing your commute timing or route will rid you of the needless morning stress. Or, not volunteering for extra work at the office will keep your productivity high.
Socialize
We all go through an episode of heartbreak in life, after which we decide to shut people out. It can happen at any stage in life. And in the beginning, being on your own feels addictive and therapeutic. Still, you eventually need to step out and burst your bubble.
You cannot live this life on your own. You need someone you trust and can rely on—kind of like how Frodo needs Sam, and Harry needs Ron.
If you do not fancy large social gatherings, then going out with the people you love is an option to consider. What socializing does is that it lets you know you're not the only one. Everyone is fighting a battle of their own. And sometimes, seeing others strive through theirs gives you hope.
But the most important reason to socialize is so that you can unwind. With no one to talk to, your stress keeps building up and may lead to depression and anxiety.
Hemp For Stress Relief
There are so many ways in which you can channel and relieve your stress. From food supplements to fidget spinners, you just need to make out what works best for you.
However, the tide of the decade is more inclined towards hemp products for instant stress relief. Since the legalization of medicinal marijuana and CBD is rapid across states and countries, it is about time you get to reap the movement's benefits.
Read more to know about CBD vape pens and how it fights stress. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound in hemp that helps you relax and relieves the tension in muscles. So, you don’t have to worry about getting too distracted while at work either.
You need to change CBD cartridges to have CBD vape juice, and that’s about all the effort you need to put into fighting stress. The natural therapeutic properties of hemp and cannabis are unparalleled by any other alternative. They have zero side effects when compared to over-the-counter stress and depression pills.
Take Care Of Your Body
Your body is the temple of your soul, and that's about it.
Typically, you compromise your health on the first sign of stress or anxiety. You start eating abnormally, you slouch around all day, and would rather lay on the couch than to hit the gym. Although working out sounds like a contradictory suggestion when tired, that is the only way to get your energy levels up.
Working out daily equips you to fight stress more effectively. This happens so because when you exercise, you use up the stress hormones in your body. If it were not for exercise, the stress hormones are what causes pain and spiraling thoughts.
Also, working out helps your brain produce endorphins and dopamine, the happiness hormones. These not only give you the initial satisfaction but also keeps your mood elevated throughout the day.
However, working out is not the only part of caring for your body. You need to let it recover properly as well. And what could be a better recovery than sleeping?
As long as you are getting a minimum of 7 hours of sleep a day, you'll feel much energized and motivated. That is because your body had ample time to recover and is now ready to take on a new day fully charged.
North America recorded a 10 percent decline while Central America dropped 12 percent.
THE GLOBAL TRAVEL and tourism sector recorded an 8 percent year-on-year decline in total deal activity during the first half of 2025, according to market data firm GlobalData. Reduced investor appetite was seen across major deal types: mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture financing.
GlobalData’s analysis shows venture financing deals fell by about 25 percent and private equity deals dropped by around 20 percent compared to the same period last year. M&A activity proved more resilient with a smaller 3.5 percent decline in volume. North America saw a 10 percent decline while Central America saw a 12 percent decline.
“The overall decline underscores a broader trend where macroeconomic factors and investor sentiments are reshaping deal-making strategies within the industry. The subdued activity suggests that dealmakers are becoming increasingly cautious, likely due to macroeconomic challenges and volatile market conditions,” said Aurojyoti Bose, lead analyst at GlobalData. “The decline in venture financing and private equity deals, suggests a dent in investor sentiment, emphasizing a trend of reduced risk appetite.”
The Asia-Pacific region posted growth, with deal volume rising 11 percent in H1 2025, driven by increased activity in Japan and India. In contrast, Europe saw a 19 percent drop, the Middle East and Africa fell 39 percent and South and Central America declined 12 percent.
Among major markets, the US, China and Germany all recorded declines in deal announcements while the UK maintained deal volumes at similar levels to last year.
GlobalData notes that historical figures may change if additional deals from earlier months are disclosed later.
Last year saw a 12.6 percent decline, with a total of 347 mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture financing deals reported in the global travel and tourism sector during the first half of 2024.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Asian Media
Group USA Inc. and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Vision held its Red Sand Project to combat human trafficking in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
It fights trafficking through partnerships, staff training and philanthropic support.
Tennessee reported 213 human trafficking cases in 2024, involving 446 victims.
VISION HOSPITALITY GROUP held its fourth annual Red Sand Project with WillowBend Farms to combat human trafficking in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The event brought together organizations working to combat human trafficking, including the Family Justice Center for Hamilton County and the Hamilton County Health Department.
“We were honored to stand with our partners and our community to bring attention to this issue,” Patel said. “Together, through awareness and action, we are working toward a future where every individual is safe, seen and supported.”
The Red Sand Project is a symbolic initiative to raise awareness and promote action on human trafficking, the statement said. Participants poured red sand into sidewalk cracks to represent victims who have fallen through the cracks of society. This year’s event came as the Chattanooga community reported progress in prevention and survivor restoration over the past year.
“The Red Sand Project reminds us that human trafficking continues to be a pressing public health issue and a devastating reality in every state,” said Jenelle Hawkins, Vision's director of operation excellence. “As members of the hotel industry, we understand our unique position to help identify and prevent trafficking. We are proud to be part of a community that is not only raising awareness but also driving real solutions. As we mark our fourth year, our commitment is stronger than ever.”
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, there were 213 reported human trafficking cases in Tennessee in 2024, involving 446 victims. Events like the Red Sand Project raise awareness, promote education and encourage community action.
Vision Hospitality Group combats trafficking through community partnerships, staff training and philanthropic support. In 2024, it donated $100,000 to the AHLA Foundation’s No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund, which provides housing and job placement services to survivors nationwide.
If you know someone who needs help escaping trafficking, call the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-558-6484. To report a suspected victim, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233722.
In June, Vision broke ground on a 150-key Hilton dual-brand in Lookout Valley, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Choice Hotels International reported Q2 net income of $81.7 million.
Domestic RevPAR fell 2.9 percent due to macroeconomic conditions.
Extended-stay portfolio rose 10.5 percent YoY, with a domestic pipeline of 43,000 rooms.
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL reported second-quarter net income of $81.7 million, down from $87.1 million a year earlier. Its forecast for the year remained positive, but was downgraded some to account for changes in macroeconomic conditions.
The company’s global pipeline exceeded 93,000 rooms, including nearly 77,000 in the U.S. Its global system size grew 2.1 percent, including 3 percent growth in the upscale, extended-stay and midscale segments, Choice said in a statement.
“Choice Hotels delivered another quarter of record financial performance despite a softer domestic RevPAR environment, underscoring the successful execution and diversification of our growth strategy,” said Patrick Pacious, president and CEO. “We are especially pleased with our strong international performance, where we have achieved significant growth and accelerated global expansion through a recent strategic acquisition, the signing of key partnerships, and entry into new markets. With more diversified growth avenues, enhanced product quality and value proposition driving stronger customer engagement and a leading position in the cycle-resilient extended-stay segment, we remain well-positioned to deliver long-term returns for all our stakeholders.”
Domestic RevPAR declined 2.9 percent, reflecting macroeconomic conditions and a difficult comparison with 2024 due to the timing of Easter and eclipse-related travel, the statement said. Excluding those effects, RevPAR fell approximately 1.6 percent. Meanwhile, the domestic extended-stay portfolio outperformed the broader lodging industry by 40 basis points in RevPAR, while the economy transient portfolio exceeded its chain scale by 320 basis points.
Adjusted EBITDA rose 2 percent to $165 million, or $167 million excluding a $2 million operating guarantee related to the Radisson Hotels Americas acquisition. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 4 percent to $1.92, the statement said.
Expansion and development
The domestic extended-stay portfolio grew 10.5 percent year over year, with a pipeline of nearly 43,000 rooms as of June 30, Choice said. The combined domestic upscale, extended-stay and midscale portfolio grew 2.3 percent. WoodSpring Suites expanded 9.7 percent to nearly 33,000 rooms and ranked first in guest satisfaction among economy extended-stay brands in the J.D. Power 2025 study. The domestic economy transient pipeline increased 8 percent to more than 1,700 rooms.
Choice acquired the remaining 50 percent interest in Choice Hotels Canada for approximately $112 million in July, funded through cash and credit. The deal expanded its Canadian brand portfolio from eight to 22 and added 327 properties and more than 26,000 rooms. The business is expected to contribute approximately $18 million in EBITDA in 2025.
International activity included a renewed master franchise agreement with Atlantica Hospitality International in Brazil for more than 10,000 rooms; a direct franchise deal with Zenitude Hotel-Residences in France, which nearly tripled room count and two agreements with SSAW Hotels & Resorts in China. These include a 9,500-room distribution deal for 2025 and a master franchise agreement projected to add 10,000 rooms over five years.
Global net rooms for upscale brands increased 14.7 percent year over year, the statement said. The pipeline for these brands rose 7 percent since March 31 to nearly 29,000 rooms.
2025 outlook
Choice revised its RevPAR outlook to reflect more moderate domestic expectations due to macroeconomic conditions, the statement said. The adjusted EBITDA forecast includes a $6 million contribution from the Choice Hotels Canada acquisition for the remainder of 2025. It also reflects the $2 million Radisson-related operating guarantee payment incurred in the second quarter.
Net income guidance was lowered to a range of $261 million to $276 million, down from $275 million to $290 million. Adjusted net income remains at $324 million to $339 million.
Domestic RevPAR growth was revised to between negative 3 percent and flat, compared to the earlier range of negative 1 percent to positive 1 percent. The global net system rooms growth projection remains at approximately 1 percent.
In May, Choice reported 2.3 percent year-over-year growth in domestic RevPAR for the first quarter.
G6 Hospitality and Galaxy Hotels Group are expanding Motel 6 and Studio 6 in the U.S.
Galaxy said G6 brands outperform others in guest satisfaction and value.
One Galaxy hotel generates $8–10M annually; the full G6 portfolio is expected to reach $50M.
G6 HOSPITALITY AND Galaxy Hotels Group are now working to expand the Motel 6 and Studio 6 footprint in the U.S. About 10 Galaxy-managed hotels, totaling more than 1,300 rooms, will operate under the G6 brands, with more to follow.
G6 brands consistently outperform others in guest satisfaction and value, said Galaxy, which rejoined the G6 network after a short break.
“This partnership marks a new chapter in our mission to deliver modern, value-driven hospitality, as we now proudly rejoin G6 Hospitality," said Carlos Cuevas, Galaxy Hotels' COO. "Having previously moved from Choice Group/Park Inn by Radisson, we’ve closely compared the performance of various franchises. Our experience and data show that G6 brands consistently outperform others in guest satisfaction and value. This is why we’re back."
Recent additions include Studio 6 Suites Las Vegas with 308 rooms, Motel 6 Las Vegas – I-15 Stadium with 139 rooms and Motel 6 Las Vegas – Boulder Highway with 160 rooms, the companies said. Studio 6 Suites Las Vegas on the Strip, with more than 300 rooms, will be one of the largest Studio 6 hotels in the U.S., while Motel 6 Las Vegas is also near the Strip and Allegiant Stadium. The portfolio also includes Motel 6 hotels in Modesto, San Jose and Santa Rosa, California and Lakewood, Fort Collins, Thornton and Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Texas-based Galaxy Hotels Group, founded in 1999 and led by CEO Jagmohan “Jag” Dhillon, operates more than 41 hotels in the U.S. One Galaxy hotel in the G6 network generates $8 to 10 million in annual revenue. The full G6 portfolio is expected to reach about $50 million.
OYO CEO Ritesh Agarwal is chair of G6 Hospitality and Sonal Sinha is its CEO. OYO added more than 150 hotels to its U.S. portfolio in the first half of 2025 and plans 150 more by year-end.
Marriott International ended Q2 with a record pipeline of about 3,900 properties and more than 590,000 rooms.
Global RevPAR rose 1.5 percent, including a 5.3 percent gain in international markets.
Net income slipped 1 percent to $763 million; 17,300 net rooms were added.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL’S GROWTH continued in the second quarter, according to the company’s recent earnings report. Along with its active pipeline, the company saw rising revenue and launched a new brand.
Marriott’s global development pipeline stood at approximately 3,900 properties with more than 590,000 rooms at the end of the second quarter. The company added about 17,300 net rooms, signed nearly 32,000 and reported more than 70 percent of signings and 8,500 of added rooms in international markets.
“Marriott delivered another solid quarter, highlighted by strong financial results and robust net rooms growth despite heightened macro-economic uncertainty,” said Anthony Capuano, Marriott president and CEO. “Global RevPAR increased 1.5 percent in the second quarter, primarily driven by the leisure segment. International RevPAR rose more than 5 percent, with strong growth in APEC and EMEA. In the U.S. and Canada, RevPAR was flat year over year with continued strength in the luxury segment offset by a decline in select-service demand, largely reflecting reduced government travel and weaker business transient demand. Adjusting for the Easter holiday shift, U.S. and Canada RevPAR increased by nearly 1 percent.”
Base management and franchise fees rose nearly 5 percent to $1.2 billion, driven by RevPAR growth, room additions and co-branded credit card fees, the statement said. Reported operating income increased to $1.236 billion from $1.195 billion, while net income declined 1 percent to $763 million. Reported diluted earnings per share were $2.78, up from $2.69.
Adjusted operating income rose to $1.186 billion from $1.120 billion, Marriott said. Adjusted net income increased to $728 million from $716 million and adjusted diluted EPS rose to $2.65 from $2.50. Adjusted EBITDA grew 7 percent to $1.415 billion.
Pipeline and brands
Marriott added about 17,300 net rooms in the quarter, including over 8,500 internationally, bringing its global system to more than 9,600 properties and around 1.736 million rooms. It signed nearly 32,000 rooms, over 70 percent in international markets. Conversions made up about 30 percent of signings and openings in the first half. Full-year net rooms growth is expected to approach 5 percent.
Marriott Bonvoy membership also reached nearly 248 million by the end of June, the statement said.
“Development activity remained robust,” Capuano said. “We signed nearly 32,000 rooms, more than 70 percent of which were in international markets, and our quarter-end pipeline stood at a record of more than 590,000 rooms. Conversions continued to be a key driver of growth, representing approximately 30 percent of our room signings and openings in the first half of this year. We still expect full year net rooms growth to approach 5 percent this year.”
The development pipeline included 3,858 properties and more than 590,000 rooms, with 234 properties and over 37,000 rooms approved but not yet under contract, the statement said. The pipeline included 1,447 properties with more than 238,000 rooms under construction or conversion. Over half of the pipeline rooms were outside the U.S. and Canada.
The company launched Series by Marriott, a regional collection brand for midscale and upscale segments, and announced its first agreement to affiliate India’s Fern portfolio. Marriott also completed the acquisition of citizenM. However, the citizenM and Series by Marriott additions were not included in the pipeline total.
Capuano said both brands are expected to support international expansion.
2025 outlook
Marriott’s outlook assumes no major shifts in macroeconomic conditions. The company expects RevPAR to be flat to up 1 percent in the third quarter of 2025 and grow 1.5 to 2.5 percent for the full year. Net rooms growth is projected to approach 5 percent in 2025.
Gross fee revenues are expected to total $1.310 billion to $1.325 billion in the third quarter and $5.365 billion to $5.420 billion for the year. Adjusted EBITDA is forecast at $1.288 billion to $1.318 billion for the third quarter and $5.310 billion to $5.395 billion for the full year.