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
Start off be telling myself that this little price of negativity is not going to win me over. I drink a cup of chamomile tea. I start taking deep breaths to relax, than I put in my earbuds and listen to my Stress Management therapy where i do a body scan, listen to relaxing music a intro to guided imagery. Taking relaxing deeps breaths throughout imagery helps me fall asleep.
Oh i love that! I am huge fan of chamomile tea myself which makes sense as to why i like it cause it’s calming. duh, Sydel. Thank you for sharing your tips. I will try the stress management therapy. that sounds cool!
Thanks for sharing Sydel. Really is helpful. Journaling, exercise and talking to God have helped me tonnes. Will def try incorporate the others.
I also find meditation helps me focus on one thing outside of the problem and napping too. Things seem a little less stressful after sleeping.
I’m just learning to take things one day and step at a time. Not think too far ahead whilst being as prepared as I can be. Surrender is hard.
Thank you for sharing these tips Sydel. Definitely agree with a lot of them – especially journaling, speaking to someone and God. I have found that meditation and taking a nap (if possible) always do wonders. Meditation because it allows me to focus on one thing outside of what is stressing me. Napping in that when I wake up, the world doesn’t feel like it’s ending just yet.
What I am currently battling with is insomnia. I sometimes use a sleep app but still have inconsistent sleep each night.
God Bless You for sharing something so hard to deal with. I am a 69 yr.old grandmother who just over two weeks ago received a call saying my fourteen yr.old granddaughter had to be taken to hospital for taking pills…lot of them. Her mother is a nurse and her father is a minister and also takes blood at a clinic. My granddaughter has been describing that she was hearing voices in her head. Now her mom has tried to make appointments with doctors and therapists but meanwhile my granddaughter was having ccopng problems at school. The guidance counselor was contacted and the school has helped. She cannot cope going to the cafeteria because of so many students so now she can go to the office or library. I came in contact with you because I saw your wedding pictures then your blog. Finally someone who understands.You seem so relatable. It’s like I have known you but really this is the first time. I am going to tell my granddaughter to listen to you and get involved so she doesn’t feel no one understands. She plays tennis and has a small dog named pepper whom she loves too. It’s three thirty in the morning but again thank you!!
This was helpful! Thank you! I already take walks and exercise, talk to God, and take deep breaths. I haven’t tried writing yet, but I’m definitely gonna try it now. In the process of wedding planning with 8 months left and idk how much more of these sleepless nights I can take 😫
Ooo girl i feel you on such a personal level. Just remember there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel! You are going to be married and starting a life with the one you love most! It is all worth it in the end!