I have spoken before on my struggles with anxiety and depression. This can be a difficult conversation for many people to have, especially since there is a stigma on mental health and it is a very personal topic. However, I believe that we not only help each other when we have the courage to be honest about our fears and concerns, but also help ourselves.  I have found over the years that it is therapeutic to be able to share my feelings with those around me. In doing so, I am hoping that I can help relate to others and give them the courage to share their situation with someone. The world is going through a very unusual pandemic that has swept panic and concern that is heard and felt around the world. I know that everyone has been dealing with the situation differently. I have also had people reach out to me seeking advice on how they can manage their stress during such an unprecedented time. I have developed different coping methods that have helped me deal with my anxiety and stay calm during a chaotic time. Hopefully one of these tips will help you get through your day with a calmer mind and heart. Hang in there- we are all in this together!

Coloring

Did you know that they make coloring books for adults? It may sound silly to some people, but I have found it to be a really soothing activity that allows me to focus on something other then my worries while letting out a bit of creative juice!

Move Around

If you are finding yourself feeling overly anxious, try to move your body around. Getting in a workout, going for a walk or dancing  to music can be the perfect distraction!

Take Deep Breaths

Taking deep breaths can be a quick way to calm yourself. There are a lot of apps or videos that you can watch that will do specific breathing exercises with you, too. If you don’t feel like plugging into technology at that moment, try to find a quiet space, close your eyes and slowly count to 10 until you feel calmer.

Dab Yourself With Oil

A lot of people use essential oils for many different things. I love that it’s a natural remedy that can help fix something that is bothering you. Lavender oil has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety. Dab a bit on your wrists and take in a deep breath of the scent. They also make sprays that can be used on your pillow at night time.

Talk To Someone

Having someone that you feel you can open up to during a stressful moment can also be helpful. Not only can it be a simple distraction to have a conversation about something unrelated to your own thoughts, but it can also help to bounce how you are feeling off of them, too. Try to open up to someone and see if talking the problem out helps you feel more at ease.

Try Distracting Yourself

If moving around is not distracting enough, try to find something else that will distract you. You can start to organize a room, clean, watch a funny tv show, listen to music or start a project around the house that you have been putting off. If you get your mind focused on something else, you can usually feel some of the tension start to leave.

Sometimes I would love to go back in time and take all of those naps that I refused when I was younger. When you are five and busy building forts, playing with dolls or playing dress up and dancing around like a princess, you hardly have time to waste on naps. If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self, “What are you thinking-take that nap”! There are days where I find myself dreaming about how great a nice long nap would feel. I try to eat healthy and stay active, which definitely helps me stay energized for the most part. But, as a busy mom of three kids who are always on the go, I would love to catch a few extra z’s sometimes. There are times I will try to lay with my kids  if I need a power nap or they are being extra cuddly with me. However, I usually use their nap time to get things done around the house. Since my napping days are much more limited, it is critical that I try to get the best night sleep possible. As a Mom, that statement sounds a bit contradicting. Mom duty is a 24/7 job. There are plenty of nights that someone isn’t feeling well, a monster showed up uninvited and has to be asked to leave or my bed is the only place that will due for sleep; which results in me dodging a hand or leg to the face for most of the evening. However, I try to make getting a good night sleep an essential part of my beauty routine and overall wellbeing routine as often as I can. Check out some things that I try to be mindful of during the day that can help me catch the best night sleep possible every night so I am able to hit the ground running in the morning!

1.  Follow A Bedtime

Pick a bedtime and try your best to stick with it every night. By going to sleep at the same time every night, your body clock will adjust quicker to your new and consistent pattern and will fall into a sleep routine.

2. Avoid Electronics

I am definitely guilty about wanting to pick up my phone at night before I go to bed or if I can’t sleep in the middle of the night. However, research shows that this can be one of the worst things to do to fall asleep. Light exposure from your phone or other electronics make you more alert, making it harder to sleep.

3. Keep The House At a Comfortable Temperature

It can be hard to find a comfortable temperature if you live with other people. My husband and I are usually on a different page of wanting it warm or chilly when it’s time to turn in for the night. However, there have been a ton of sleep studies that suggest keeping your house on the cooler side during the night can help improve your quality of sleep. I know I like to be a bit on the cooler side and then have the option to throw on a blanket. I find if I am to hot I toss and turn throughout the night which results in a restless sleep.

4. Stay Away From Caffeine

Research has shown that caffeine can affect your sleep for up to ten to twelve hours after drinking it! Even though it is easy to get hooked on having that coffee during the day to keep up your energy, it can be causing a lot of issues to your body’s sleep at night. Try to grab natural things that can add a boost of energy without the caffeine, like my favorite infused water recipes that you can find here.

5. Wind Down

Try to give yourself an adequate amount of time to decompress every night. Your body and brain need time to wind down and relax after running at full speed all day long. Let yourself watch something relaxing on tv, read a book, take a hot bath or do some light stretching or meditating.