Here We Go Again and Using ALL the tools

 So, so much happening here in my life.  As I'm sure it has been with all of you.  Uncertainty is a major stressor in the lives of most people and 2020 has dished out more than the usual variety.   Let's start with the obvious of the recent Presidential election.  More than 9 days later and we don't have a confirmed victor and by that, I just mean that the votes haven't been validated.  There is no doubt in my mind that Joe Biden is the new President of the United States and for that, I am eternally grateful.  It will be so nice to have a decent human being in the Oval office again.  That said, January 20th is still some time away and there remains much damage that can, and I'm sure will, be done.   I am anxiously awaiting Inauguration day. 

There has been a lot of uncertainty with my job too, which has been wonderful for my anxiety.  The local school board  in their infinite wisdom ( can you smell the sarcasm??)  voted to return children to school just in time for Thanksgiving. Wonderful, right?  Only the case of covid 19 have been on the rise in my county and throughout the country, just as doctor's said they would.   Turns out that we weren't able to return and won't now until February, when we will likely face all this uncertainty again.  Awesome sauce.

So, as my anxiety continues, some days are better than others.  Like most humans living through these troubling times I should expect.  My anxiety has actually developed some super fun physical symptoms including, but not limited to: upset stomach ( including diarrhea and nausea),  sore throat which is just sore on one side and only at night, and the most common and annoying symptom - burping.  The burping isn't loud - other people don't hear it.  But it is upsetting to me and sometimes results in acid reflux, which is really awesome.  The burping is worse at night or anytime I'm stressed out - like today, when I went into the school building and had to be around a small number of people.  Great.  I've been doing a lot of research about what may help the burping - eating slower, drinking more water, etc.... but it still happens.  

Interesting fact, in my research I came across that some teas may help.  Not surprising, the Chinese have known and used teas as medicine for centuries.  I have been using green tea and sage tea to combat the anxiety, never thinking about drinking tea which might help the burping.  You know how you go to a restaurant and they have mints that they give you after dinner?  Turns out that peppermint, ingested after a meal, can significantly impact how well you digest your meal and keep you from having an upset stomach.  It can also help with burping.  Enter the peppermint tea.  First day I tried it, I noticed a significant difference.  Here's hoping I continue to.  In my research it was suggested that Egyptian licorice tea and Ginger tea also help.  So, if you, like me have been having some digestive issues, you may want to give some of these teas a try.  Peppermint also makes you feel rejuvinated and awake, although it is decaffeinated. So, if you have these issues, give it a try and let me know how it works for you.  We all have to spread love and get through this mess together. Hang in there, friends.