May is Mental Health Awareness month and it is so important to me, as someone who has struggled with anxiety most of my life, to be open about it as I know I am not alone in dealing with this. The theme for 2021 is Tools To Thrive, with a focus on how one can find ways to cope with stress and anxiety, so I thought I would share with you all several things I am doing that are helping me tremendously.
Exercise– I can’t tell you how moving my body helps me in times of stress. Whether it is walking, riding my bike or taking a Pilates class, it takes the focus off of whatever is going on in my mind by focusing on my surroundings, breathing and I feel an overall sense of well-being.
Eating right– Yes, it is true when they say “You are what you eat.” If you want to feel your best, we have to really think about what we put in our body. For me, I really need to stay away from sugar and highly processed foods. They make me feel sluggish and I can feel the effect they have on my brain immediately (especially with sugar) when I consume too much. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, grains and foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids (such as salmon, nuts and seeds) are excellent brain food and so good for us.
Equilibria for Women CBD – CBD is a natural ingredient found within industrial hemp flowers. It is clinically proven to impact mental and physical well-being, when taken properly and consistently. It is a powerful health agent, but there is no discernible impairment (no high) As per FDA guidelines, Equilibria CBD is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or ailment. I started taking Equilibria for Women about three months ago and it has made such a difference in my life and especially with my anxiety. Equilibria offers all the benefits of a premium, full-spectrum CBD routine, including increased balance & centeredness, improved rest, and relief. Equilibria was created by women for women and they provide one on one support with each and every customer. They have put together several different Signature Boxes which are curated collections designed around your health goals. I am on their Relief Box and I use it each and every day. If you would like to try Equilibria for Women, I have a Special Code 50shadesofstylebykelley that will give you 15% off your first order.
Essential Oils – Aromatherapy plays a huge role for me in helping me soothe my anxious feelings. One of my favorite oils I love to diffuse is lavender. Its calming aroma helps cut through feelings of distress and promotes relaxation. I especially use this at night when I go to sleep. You definitely need to try it. If you don’t have a diffuser, I highly recommend the Ultrasonic Diffuser by Pure Daily Care. It comes with 10 essential oil bottles and you will love the soft ambient light modes it puts off that promotes calmness.
Get plenty of sleep – Did you know prioritizing good sleep is an act of self-love? One of the best ways to maintain good sleep is to have a typical bedtime routine. I use to stay up late (really doing nothing) but it just got to be a bad habit) and when morning rolled in and the alarm clock went off, it was a rude awakening. Not getting enough sleep is horrible for our mood and even our health. Going to bed earlier and creating a better sleep routine will lead to better sleep, which will lead to stress reduction, a clearer mind and mood improvements. (I promise if you start going to bed earlier, it will be a game changer for you!)
The Calm App – The Calm App is the #1 app for sleep, meditation and relaxation. I had been seeing advertisements about this for about a year before I finally decided to download it for myself to see if there was anything to all the rave reviews I had been hearing. Well, I have to say, it really is amazing. This app was developed to help you manage stress and sleep better. It features hundreds of calming exercises, helpful breathing techniques and my favorite, Sleep Stories narrated by celebrities like Matthew McConaughey. They also offer guided meditations, soothing sleep sounds, as well as music made to help calm your mind.
I hope the things I shared might be helpful to you, but above all I want to make sure we talk about mental health and never shy away or feel embarrassed about our struggles. We must make it a priority and seek professional help if needed.
xo