JOURNAL: Writing down my feelings does wonders for me. I don’t know but it is something about sitting down putting pen to paper and just letting the words flow. When you are writing things down in a safe space it allows you to not hold anything back and for me that is so comforting. I find that when I write, I can leave my worries, frustrations, and anything else that is bothering me on in that notebook. I can let it all out, I don’t have to worry about what others would think or what others will say. It’s just something for me. I also find myself writing the most when I have restless nights. Laying in bed, tossing and turning not able to sleep, I will get up and just write. And when I tell you I sleep like a baby after that, I DO! Literally being able to drop the weight of your world on a piece of paper is such a great feeling for me. If you haven’t tried it, I encourage you to for sure!
Diffuser & Essential Oils: If you follow me on social media, you know I love my essential oils and diffuser. If you walk into my home odds are the diffuser is going. (I try to make sure the pups are outside or not in direct line to the diffuser because I do know that some of the oils, dogs are sensitive to). Research has shown that diffusing essential oils can help with tension, anxiety, stress, etc. Aromatherapy is what they call it. You can often find it being offered in massage therapy and things like that. So I am a huge believer in the benefits of diffusing oils. My favorite essential oil “cocktail” is a mixture of lemon, lavender, and “Stress Away” which is lime oil and vanilla extract. I have found that mixture to help the most when I am super anxious or stressed out. I would definitely say experiment and see what works best for you as well. Start with a common recipe and then add whatever other essential oil you like here and there and come out with your very own concoction.
Essential Oils I Use: https://www.youngliving.com/en_US?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7daJnNTU3QIVF_5kCh1hgg3LEAAYASAAEgIyE_D_BwE
Take a walk/Exercise– RELEASE THOSE ENDORPHINS! I find this tip to be one that has multiple benefits. Exercising can for one, take your mind off of the situation because of the endorphins. Endorphins are known to trigger a positive feeling in the body. You just feel happy and have a different outlook on life. I know that after I workout I feel like I can concur anything! What anxiety? What stress? (Haha) No but seriously, working out can open my mind and give me a fresh start. I can face that problem that was making me stress so much.
Play with my dogs– Now everyone knows that my dogs Quavo and Nobu are my life. I am obsessed and am not ashamed. So having them has been a compete Godsend. I do believe that animals can feel real human emotions and can tell when their owner isn’t themselves or are feeling a certain way. I know that because of the way that my dogs change their whole attitude. They hang around me more, rest their head on me, or want more attention from me. Having that comfort and security from these animals has helped me a lot with dealing with my anxiety. A lot of my anxiety comes from not being able to control things or the unknown, but having these angels in my life has brought a sense of calm to my life. If you are able to properly take care of an animal, love them and show them attention and deal with anxiety like I do, I HIGHLY reccomend getting a pet to love on and them to Love on you, it will change your life.
Breathing exercises– Just breathe. Life can be so overwhelming and have a lot going on that we all can really forget to breathe. That’s how panic attacks happen, when you’re so anxious/panicked and feel like the whole world is crashing down on you. Just breathe. Breathing for me allows me to focus on my body and mind. I begin to think more and freakout less.
Talk to someone/professional– I am a huge believer in that. For me it’s really about swallowing my pride and realizing I do not have all the answers. I don’t know everything and I should go to someone and get another opinion. Get another view on life. Gaining some perspective I can see that whatever I am stressed over maybe isn’t as bad as I think it is and if it is I can inquire to someone about how they would handle it. Get some advice. Also just being able to talk to someone about my problem can allow me not hold so much inside. If I let my problem just build up nothing good comes from that.
Talk to God– This is my go to. God has been my rock and my shield in everything. I honestly do not think I would be able to even talk about this to you all if it weren’t for God. For me, it’s just like always knowing that someone is there to listen to me and help guide me. And he speaks to me by providing all of these other resources to cope with my anxiety. All of the things I mention above are because God allowed them to be calming to me and effective for me and He has allowed me to do what I can to find them and use them.
I hope you guys find my ways of coping helpful! I would also love to hear how you all cope! I am always willing to try new things. You can never have too many coping mechanisms 🙂
XOXO,
A Curry Girl
Thank you so much for sharing your story with the world! Mental illness is shunned upon in today’s society and more awareness needs to be brought to the forefront as you bravely did in this journal entry. I am a 34 year old single mother living with MS and trying to keep my stress and anxiety at bay in order for my two beautiful girls to remain as unaffected as possible. Life is most definitely a struggle but I always know who to turn to in times of grief and despair. I am forever thankful for our Lord and Savior. May God continue to bless you Mrs. Lee and wishing you and yours a world of happiness!
i was literally just crying over something stupid and this helped me because i have anxiety but i’m fighting with it on my own bc im scared to seek professional help but anyways i just wanted to let you know that this helped me to remember what to do !!!
This list is so encouraging. I love that you’re sharing and being transparent. You are helping many people by doing this. I find drinking a warm cup of chamomile tea helps relieve my anxiety. Also drinking lots of water, and listening to a series called pass through panic. But more importantly prayer, reading the Bible and having a relationship with God.
This is so beautiful and comforting to read 😭
I thinks it’s awesome that you are so transparent. It will help more people realize it’s okay, we all have every day problems and it’s good to have different ways to deal with them and express ourselves.❤️🙂