May 6, 2020

Coping with Anxiety (+ Free Printable Journal Prompts)

I’d be surprised if I know anyone who doesn’t already deal with anxiety on some level on a regular basis. Now let’s just throw a global pandemic in the mix, shall we? If we didn’t have anxiety before, we sure as hell do now.

I mean, how else are we suppose to feel when even leaving our house to grab groceries is a threat to our health?

Our whole lives have been flipped and this time is just…. weird. Honestly, I’m one of the lucky ones in this situation for sure… Lily doesn’t need to be homeschooled, I was already on maternity leave, Tyler can do his job from home…. we’re lucky.

And I didn’t even think I felt that anxious until I realized I constantly had that feeling down my core. Lauryn Evarts described it perfectly on a recent podcast, saying it’s like that feeling when you’re just about to get in a car crash. UGH! She couldn’t have said it better.

So, I guess you could say anxiety has been creepin’. I can’t promise this post is going to eliminate it entirely for you, but this is what has been working for me, so I hope it helps you too!

Coping with Anxiety - Journal Prompts

Coping with Anxiety During this Particularly Weird Time

Ease up on the caffeine

If the thought of ditching it entirely causes even more anxiety than you’re already having, that’s okay. But try switching to decaf after you’re first cup, or swapping it out for matcha or Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee to get that energy boost without the jitters and crash. I like to have an Arbonne fizz stick in the afternoon. It’s almost like having a mid-day cocktail. Almost.

Fresh Air

Game changer. When my anxiety gets really bad, I tend to get nauseous. Going for a walk around the neighbourhood or, if the weathers bad, a drive with the windows down, can really make a big difference.

Movement

Any kind. An intense workout, light walk, run, yoga, cleaning the house… just challenge yourself to get off your ass when your anxiety sets in. I’m loving Bailey Brown’s BBFIT app right now. It’s saving my ass (And making it look pretty damn good too). Her online workouts are the one time Emmett lets me get a full workout in because I’m pretty sure he has a crush on her. He can’t take his eyes off her the whole 35 minutes.

Consistent Meal Times

Try your best here. Avoid eating on the couch or in bed. If you’re home with family or roommates, try to eat meals with them for some sense of both normalcy and community.

Meditate

I’m not about to preach to you here about how great this can be for you because I’m still working on this myself. It’ definitely a practice and it’s not exactly easy. But give it a try! I use the Headspace app to help me out.

Stay Connected

All those baby boomers saying millennials can’t communicate because we’re always on our phones…. welp! We’ve been preparing for this, perhaps? FaceTime your friends, zoom call the whole fam, and turn your social media platforms into a positive space. Make sure to engage only with those who bring positivity to your day and weed out the bad. There’s no room for negativity right now.

Routine

In the am and/or pm. Control your morning and start it by doing things that release anxiety and fill you up. Make your coffee or smoothie, workout, walk, read… whatever it is you enjoy and provides you with structure. I like to do the same in my evening. Shower the day away, pour a glass of wine, journal, read, do your full skin routine… you get it.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is something that has REALLY helped me with anxiety and stress in the past. It reduces stress, reduces blood sugar levels, reduces cortisol levels, and can ease signs of depression. You can take it in a capsule but I like it as a powder in my smoothies.