6 Tips To Help Manage Anxiety
In this day and age, it is safe to think that we have all, at one time or another, experienced stress or anxiety. It can feel overwhelming and make you feel powerless. I know this for a fact first hand. In honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, here are a few tips to help you cope in a mindful, loving way. Some may surprise you!
CBD
Many clinical studies demonstrate that CBD (cannabidiol) help in reducing anxiety and general stress. It also reduces pain and improves sleep. My absolute favorite CBD brand is Flora & Bast. Their Relief Potion is a CBD oil that can be take orally or topically. It gives your mind and body a break by addressing the root of pain. Their Relief Gummies contain CBN, a compound similar to but much weaker than THC. CBN promotes calm, reduces anxiety and boots sleep patterns.
Flora & Bast offers you 20% off when using code “KIMLOVE”. Click here to redeem the offer.
“These magical herbs give you jitters-free energy, aid focus and invite calm.”
SWITCH OUT CAFFEINE FOR ADAPTOGENS
Yep, caffeine can exacerbate anxiety. Caffeine doesn’t really cause anxiety per se. It is a psychostimulant that causes effects similar to the symptoms of anxiety. This is why, if you are on the anxious side, caffeine may not be the best thing for you. Try adaptogens instead! These magical herbs give you jitters-free energy, aid focus and invite calm. Pique Life’s Chaga Energy Elixir is my go-to. Sakara also has Nootropic Chocolates to energize and help you focus.
Pique Life offers you 5% off when using code “KIMKLEAN”. Click here to redeem the offer.
Sakara offers you 20% off your 1st order with code “XOKIMKLEAN”. Click here to redeem the offer.
“Practicing gratitude rewires the brain and focuses on positive thoughts.”
PRACTICING GRATITUDE
Anxiety can bring a feeling of insecurity, of being inadequate. Practicing gratitude rewires the brain and focuses on positive thoughts which can then reduce anxiety. Deepak Chopra, an expert in the field of mind-body healing says, “The main thing to do at the end of the day is to write in a gratitude journal all the things that you are grateful for that happened that day. You will invite even more abundance into your life.” There are several gratitude journals to guide you in this practice.
MOVE IT!!
Emotions are energy moving through your body, so Move Your Body! Physical activity is known to be a mood lifter. Playing sports releases endorphins, the “feel good” hormones, which give an impression of euphoria. Running, yoga, walk in nature are all good sports to help manage anxiety. And so is dancing! So blast your favorite tune and dance like nobody's watching! I swear a laugh will come out of your mouth without you even expecting it. My favorite “at home workout” that always kicks my butt and makes me smile is The Sculpt Society by Megan Roup. Her energy is always positive and highly contagious!
“This light can cause sleep disturbances, irritability, anxiety and sometimes even depression.”
PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY IN THE EVENING
The blue light emitted from screens, aka your cellphone, visibly affects your skin - premature aging - but also affects your mental health in a more sneaky way. This light can cause sleep disturbances, irritability, anxiety and sometimes even depression. Not to mention the anxiety that can arise from comparing your life to the “online” lives of strangers. Personally, I put my cell phone in “Night Shift” mode from 8pm to 8am and try to avoid social media 2 hours before going to bed. And honestly, I see a difference with this simple adjustment.
AROMATHERAPY
Essential oils are known for their calming benefits. Here is a simple little guide for you. Citruses (lemon, pink grapefruit, orange) are like big rays of sunshine! They are invigorating and bring happiness. Flowers (rose, geranium, orange blossom) offer you emotional support. They soothe the heart and mind and invite love. Roots (vetiver, spikenard) ground you and bring a feeling of balance and stability. Inhalation is the fastest way for your body to assimilate the molecules of essential oils. So open up the bottle of your favorite oil and take a deep breath!
In my experience, anxiety does not happen “out of nowhere”, but rather is a way our body uses to signal us that something needs to be addressed. So I invite you to really do some introspection, look inwards and understand the source of your anxiety. I hope these few tips will be of great help to you!
Kim xoxo
