Step by Step How I Ease Stress and Lower Anxiety
Top: Amazon the Drop // Skirt: Amazon // Boots: Target // Purse: Coach (love this one)
Earrings: Kendra Scott // Headband: old (similar here)
Sometimes I have to do a little reality check on myself. This week was one of those times. After a whirlwind of ten days of non-stop travel and then the joys of Thanksgiving I rolled right into this last week with fatigue. Not only fatigue, but my sister spent Friday getting a metal rod out of her leg in surgery. She had an injury five years ago and decided to get the hardware taken out this past week. I didn’t realize just how much all of these blessings would also add extra stressors into my life. I drove into Houston on Friday and let me tell you my anxiety was at an all-time high. Once I returned home I made a decision to do everything I could to clear my calendar for Saturday and just decompress. Anxiety never goes completely away, but I have managed these past few years to get it in a manageable state. I thought it would be wildly appropriate to share what I experience and how I cope with amounting pressure in hopes that it helps you, too.
Quick backstory, for those of you who are new around here I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and OCD. Talk about a trifecta of issues right? I made tons of lifestyle changes to include diet changes, eliminating alcohol, counseling, and regular exercise. First, we used a combination of pharmaceutical medication alongside counseling and behavioral cognitive therapy. After going through a multitude of different methods I was able to stop taking medication and now I just use a set of coping skills. The past month has been a lot of change - new partnerships, new schedule, the busiest season for bloggers and influencers, and on top of that I was traveling. I love to be on the go, however, this was a ridiculous schedule with almost all of every day jam-packed.
I started heading to the northside of Houston from College Station when I noticed every time I started to drive on the highway my heart would beat after. I felt lightheaded and exit as soon as possible for fear of getting dizzy. Throughout the entire morning, my apple watch would consistently remind me to breathe. When this begins to happen, the best thing I can do is slow down and just be late. Showing up anywhere frazzled only makes it worse. I exited and took country roads and the access road the rest of the way in. On my way home I routed the reversal of the way I came. I decided to expect very little for the rest of the evening out of myself. I had to. If I continue to put pressure I know where it will lead… panic. The one thing a person who has had a panic attack before needs to not do is panic about a possible future panic attack. I know that with better rest and time in the quiet I would do a better job on Monday when I have to return to the city again. Although it’s been years since I had panic attacks at the level I did before, I know that if I don’t give myself a break it can easily escalate.
Here are a few ways I’ve learned to cope with amounting stress. First, I literally clear my schedule of anything that is unnecessary. I am an extrovert and sometimes I get too excited to have a full calendar with all the people. If I’m stressed, I need quiet. I need less pressure and there are very few people that can make me feel at ease. A few of y’all are out there and know who you are, but most of the time I just retreat. Second, I tidy my environment. I don’t go crazy and clean everything but I do like to pick up clutter. Today I vacuumed. I don’t know why an hour of organizing helps, but it does. It allows me to relax and find joy faster. Third, I do something I love. I just launched a new campaign with Sarah Flint as an ambassador and used the afternoon to create content that I was really excited about doing! Blogging is fun and kind of like a form of therapy for me. When I feel creative I do more of it! Fourth, chose to spend the evening in the quiet alone. I would love to go to dinner with a friend or attend a holiday gathering, but too many stimuli make me frazzled. I know it’s best on days like this to just stay home with the dog and have as little noise going in the background as possible.
I’ve noticed over the years that there are a few other activities that help. I’ll do a brain dump into my journal of everything that’s in my head. Other days I have a lot of restless energy so going for a long walk in nature helps! I firmly believe that nature restores my soul. Sometimes a craft or creative project really helps. Finally, if I really need to talk to someone scheduling time with a counselor or therapist does the trick. In the past, I’ve used Talkspace when I couldn’t get to see someone face to face. You can chat with a licensed therapist or schedule a call. The biggest thing is to decompress. Not add more stressors. Not take on anything else until you wind back down. A good workout or run will do so much more for you than a bottle of wine.
As I wrap today’s post up I encourage you to take 10 minutes and make a list on your cell phone in the notes section of five things you could do to slow down the next time you feel overwhelmed. Ten items would be even better so you have more options, but five is a good start. Do it when you are not feeling stressed so you can refer back to it later. As you move through your days, whenever you start feeling overly irritated, fatigued or nervous make another list in your phone of where you are, what you are doing, and what has been happening. Over time you’ll be able to spot patterns and triggers. When you feel like something makes you at ease, then jot that down, too. The more little moments of stress or relief you have noted the easier it is to recognize early signs. You don’t have to let it get to full-blown panic. You can put yourself at ease and if you feel overwhelmed then it’s probably time to go seek some extra guidance. Remember, you are still an amazing human being no matter what. Stress doesn’t make you less than worthy. Sometimes being positive is just making it through. Take baby steps and treat yourself like you would tell your best friend to do. You are so much stronger than you know!
- xoxo Crystal
