Tips For Handling Stress & Anxiety

Find your escape. No matter how many tips I will give you on the right essential oil, or the right hobby, you must find your escape. What is strong enough to pull you away from your stress, and force you to follow these upcoming habits? THAT is what you must find before expecting to do any of these activities. These tasks will not instantly make you happy, and they will not solve your issues, but they will temporarily, and over time drift your mind away from it.

1. Journal : Before letting you, you should talk about it. Call a friend, write it down, talk to God, or talk to yourself through a car ride. No matter how you prefer to express it, you should always begin by talking about it. This could help you realize how small the problem is, or how its supposed to be solved.
2. Light a candle, and start your oil diffuser : I recently purchased an oil diffuser, and it has never powered off. I find so much peace going into my room, and smelling a nature Sandalwood, or Lavender oil. Oil diffusers are known to help with your stress levels, and balancing the body’s hormones. I will do a separate blog explaining the benefit of each oil.
3. Take a hot shower : From now on, if I am ever sad, I do not let myself be sad until I am done showering. It is the most odd thing, but I walk out feeling WAY more relaxed, and I feel as if my mind has leveled.
4. Mediation : Whether your mediation consists of a prayer, and a scripture in the Bible or a 10 minute yoga routine…DO IT. I used to tell myself I was too hyper to meditate, and that I am not capable of allowing myself to ‘let go’ but when you do, the reward is unexplainable, and it becomes the BEST way to start your mornings.
5. BREATHE : There are many breathing exercises all over the internet, and just sitting back from the situation and breathing for a little bit helps your mind and body feel more relaxed, and you are able to look at the situation with a clearer mind.
6. Exercise : I know how hard it is to be crying and think to yourself ‘Ok lets workout!’ but NO… it WILL help, and doing it even when you are not stressed out, will help prevent it in the future. Working out doesn’t always have to be an hour at the gym, it can be a 15 minute daily workout… try to incorporate at least one activity that keeps your body moving everyday.
7. Take it slow on the caffeine : I am somebody that used to have 6 cups of coffee a day and would wonder why I was always stressed out and shaking. Have a cup in the morning, maybe try to substitute it with Matcha, or try to accompany yourself with a caffeine free tea. There are many alternatives I have found, and I sleep much better, and always feel less anxious.
8. Green Tea : There are many health benefits to green tea, as well as preventing stress and anxiety.
9. Chewing gum : Sounds weird right? Chewing gum actually promotes blood flow to your brain!
10. Surround yourself with who you love, and who make you laugh : Call up a friend, and don’t even tell them anything is wrong. Simply tell them to come over and hangout, or ask them to go to the diner. Being in their presence and pretending nothing is wrong will help you forget your situation for a little, and you will be able to go back to it with a better perspective.
11. Listen to soothing music, or to sounds like White Noise, Waves Crashing, or a Forest.
12. Accept it : It is okay to not be okay all the time. It is okay to break down, and it is okay to cry. You dont always have to be so strong, but dont let these things ruin something just because you were temporarily sad.
13. Go for a drive : Go alone, or text a friend, and blast some music, and drive with no destination - or drive somewhere that makes you happy - go drive to Trader Joes and buy some plants and focus on watering them rather than what you were stressed out about before.
14. Start a new book : If you HATE reading, this tip is probably not for you; however reading can take you into another story, and temporarily stop you from focusing on the negatives.
15. Make a list : Write down what youre grateful for, you’ll learn how much you should be appreciating everything you have.
16. Unplug from technology : I have taken MANY social media cleanses, and although it has never stressed me out, it does feel good to not feel like you have to constantly check up on something.
17. Declutter / Clean : This NEVER fails to make me feel like I have my life together, even if its just for a little bit.
18. Face masks / Nails / Hair / Massages : SELF CARE. SELF CARE. SELF CARE.

At the end of the day - we all sometimes take on more than we can handle, and that causes us to get mad at ourselves, it causes us to push ourselves down. We cannot let that be the case anymore. It is okay to push yourself, and to set high expectations, but never forget you ‘why.’ Never forget why you started, and never forget why youre here. That is the main message at the end of the day, and you must remind yourself that nothing is that serious, and you wouldn’t be facing it if you couldn’t handle it.