Some of these will be products some are techniques or practices but the common denominator with anything I talk about is it is all about you. Not in a selfish way. In a self care way. I think the number one thing I have really learned with this flare up of panic attacks, anxiety and depression is to slow down and focus on me.
- My first tip is to carve out time to remove the clutter little bits at a time. Play your favorite Podcast, I like listening to Breaking Beauty on Spotify. I can not tell you how overwhelming it is for me to open some of my closets or drawers. I am a clean clutter bug. I collect things and make piles and it turns into stress for me. It over stimulates my mind and makes it difficult for me to let go of things. I have gotten to the point where if I hold something up and it genuinely doesn't make me happy, I pass it along. I have posted sooooo many decluttered things on my Mercari account lately. I firmly encourage you to do the same. It feels so good to clear out some space in my surroundings, in my mind and off my to do this. And start small. Because I struggle with pulling everything out, running out of time or energy and leaving it out. When I need to pick one thing, stay focused on it until it has been sorted and then move on to the next.
- Set a time to go to sleep and wake up. Having a sleep schedule is something I can somewhat control and I feel has really helped me regain balance. This is still important on days you don't have to be up and out the door by a certain time. Sometimes falling asleep or more so for me is staying asleep can be difficult. Especially during an anxiety flare up. Ironically enough I was contacted by the company Objective, to try out their Fast Asleep Saffron Sleep Chocolates. These chocolates are formulated to promote restful sleep. Honestly, I didn't think they were going to work, but I like chocolate and was having some real issues with sleeping so I said why not. They are a non-habit forming, melatonin free formula. I have tried them over the past month and a half or so and really enjoy them. I am waking up refreshed and not groggy. I do find that on nights I have a chocolate I do sometimes have dreams but they aren't wild or scary. I also don't feel like they are totally knocking me out meaning if the kids needed me, like Sophia was sick in the night a few weeks ago and came in to get me. I was able to get up with her and fall back asleep once it was all cleaned up. They taste like an earthy version of chocolate and I would totally repurchase them.
- Easy meals. When I am having an anxiety flare up. I don't feel like eating. Have quick yet somewhat health snack and meal options is super important. I like the frozen meals from Healthy Choice. And for the mornings I know I need to eat but don't have the stomach for it I will make a protein shake. Teami just came out with their own Chocolate Vegan protein powder. It has 17g of plant based protein which is meant to keep you fuller longer and help curb cravings. This is honestly one of the smoothest most delicious chocolate protein powders I have ever tried. Use code : SPARKLE25 to get 25% off you next Teami purchase of $29 or more. Another brand I order different flavors from is the organic line from VeganSmart. Their all in one blend doesnt have artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors or preservatives but does give you a boost of daily vitamins and 20 g of plant based protein. For more full meals we have enjoyed subscribing to meal delivery services like Home Chef.
Note from Teami : We want to provide some sort of light and positivity during this time of the COVID-19 outbreak. For the next 30 days, every order that is made on the Teami Blends website, no matter how much or how little is purchased, we will donate $1 (which is 10 meals!) to Feeding America. Every time you order, you are providing 10 meals to those who need help during these desperate times. Our goal is 150,000 meals!
- Meditation. I have heard so many people talk about how wonderful meditation is but to me it kind of sounded like mind wandering torture. That is until I tried it and gave it a true effort. Lately I have been waking up and doing the 10 minute Mindful in Minutes PodCast guided meditations. I go into my office, turn on my salt lamp, sometimes I get the essential oil diffuser going, grab my pillows for under my head and knees - I like to lay don for my meditations, a blanket for my legs because I can't concentrate when I am cold, my head phones and eye mask. I need the eye mask for the darkness and sensory deprivation. I have a few favorite masks. I like these bubble like eye masks from Amazon and this weighted one I got in a FabFitFun box (weighted face mask).
- Crystals. Along with my salt lamp I like having my crystals near by. They just bring me joy. So shimmery and sparkly. I don't know that I full believe that they offer me any sort of comfort or powers but they make me esthetically happy and I love having them in my special ME place.
- Spa treatment at home. I want to go more in-depth with this set / practice in another video. But it is so important that even in the moment where we feel the lowest and crappiest that we push ourselves to take care of our inner and outer self. Even if this just means taking a bubble bath with a cute bath bomb from Nectar. Do something special for you !!!
- On that note. Get active. I am not sure how strongly I believe working out helps my mind but this is what everyone says and I do feel very 'Girl Power' post workout. Ways I have been working out from home are following along FabFitFunTV workouts (which are free to the public right now), I purchased some hand weights from Kohls and I already had my Horizon Peak Trainer HT5.0 which I reviewed and talked about a few months ago. I have to be honest, this is probably my least used tip and yet probably the most important. I am working on it.
- We kind of talked about this in the meditation tip but Essential oils. I like to fill the diffuser before bed and have it run through the night with Serenity with some Patchouli. In the morning during my meditation I like using Balance to relax myself. I keep Balance in a roller ball in my purse at all times for when I am out and about and get the anxiety tingle. Shop my Oil page.
Have you tried any of these tips before ? Do you have any tips not mentioned here you would like to share ? Comment down below :)
