Using ALL the Tools

 I would be willing to bet that there aren't too many people out there that haven't felt some type of anxiety, especially through the coronacation we are all currently enjoying.  I would think it's normal to worry about what is going on in the world and how it may impact the people we love.  Here's the thing though, people with anxiety can't turn it off.  It's all consuming and so we have to work to rewire our brains to distract them.  Distraction is a HUGE coping mechanism that I use.  

As I have been dealing with anxiety,  I've tried many things including medication which didn't work for me, but I know many people that it does help.  If that's you, I'm glad you have found something that helps.  But if you, like me aren't benefitted by medication, I thought I would share some tips and tricks that have worked for me to some degree of success.  I'm still working on it.  Still learning.

1. Learning about my anxiety - the physical effects especially has helped.  Did you know that anxiety can cause low grade fever?  Yep.  As your body responds to fight or flight, your heart pumps ( hello, palpitations),  and the blood rushing as a result can actually cause you to feel hotter.  Understanding what is happening has been really helpful for me.

2. A therapist friend of mine recommended that Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills workbook and I have been working through that.  It has given me lots of tools to use - if you haven't tried this, I really recommend it.

3.  I guess the biggest way that I deal with my anxiety is I like to kick the shit out of things.  Kickboxing has absolutely CHANGED MY LIFE.  Huge shout out to my I LOVE KICKBOXING friends.   You may not know how much you all have helped me- hello down 65 pounds!  But also, I've worked through so much shit with you guys.  THANK YOU doesn't seem like enough.  Kickboxer for life.

4.  Relaxation techniques-  I've learned that I need WATER to be happy.  My pool is a huge happy factor but also the beach and even the bathtub.  Just the sound of running water is enough to make me happy.  The bath helps me relax and let go of some of the things that I worry about.  It may seem like a small thing, but it isn't.

5. Aromatherapy.  I wear lava beads.  The weight of them on my arm reassures me.  But I mainly wear them for aromatherapy.  Smell is a wonderful relaxer.  I like tea tree, lemon, orange,  specialty mixes for anxiety, but pretty much anything that smells good.  I even like it when I don't feel good.  Eucalyptus always makes me feel better.

6. Distraction - when I'm laying in bed worrying about all the things and I can't turn my brain off.... I distract it.  puzzles really help in this regard for me.  I can usually do three or four of them and that's enough to feel sleepy and get some rest.  Thanks to my friend Lisa for getting me started.

7.  I found a new app on my phone that encourages meditation and breathing.  OMG, friends, it is helping me so much.  Almost feel asleep  meditating last night.  It feels so amazing.   The app is called Calm and it is awesome.  And if you haven't listened to Harry Styles Dream with Me... well, do it. 

These are just some things that have worked for me that I wanted to share.  If you have some tips and tricks that work for you, PLEASE  drop them in the comments.  I love new ideas and I'm always looking for them.