6 Ways to Deal With Anxiety

We have all had to adjust to our “new normal” over the past few months due to COVID-19, and with many of us being able to leave the house again (thank goodness!) we are now gearing up to adjust to a “new normal” once again.

I am a bit different than most, in that I actually thrive on change. Instead of running away from change, I typically run towards it. Over the past few months we have all experienced massive amounts of change in our personal lives, our work environments, our communities, and globally. For many this type of change can elicit anxiety… even in people like me who typically love change.

Even though I love change and was easily able to adapt my business model during the quarantine, I still experienced bouts of anxiety. I believe it’s normal. Anxiety is our body’s way of communicating with us and letting us know that something is off. It’s a sign for your to stop tuning into all the external distractions, and start tuning into whats going on inside.

Today’s I’m going to share six ways to deal with anxiety. I use these personally and with several of my clients.

1. Breathe. Pause whatever you are doing, close your eyes, put your hands on your heart and simply breathe. Connect with the rise and fall of your chest as breath enters and exits the body. Take 10 deep breaths here.

2. Meditate. Find a comfortable position, I prefer to be seated, but find what works for you. You can lead yourself through a meditation, simply tune into your breath, or listen to a guided meditation of choice. Check out the benefits of meditation here and my four tips for meditation here.

3. Journal. Sit down and write out all your thoughts that are rushing through your head, without judgement, just let it all out. Sometimes purging our emotions through writing and getting it all down on paper can help us to release whatever it is that is causing our anxiety in that moment. It may almost feel like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.

4. Move. For me movement is one of the best ways to keep my anxiety in check. Find a workout you love…running, yoga, pilates… whatever it is, and move every day. Even if it’s only 20 minutes, do something to move your body and change up your mindset.

5. Diet. Nutrition plays a huge role in our emotional state. Keep a food journal and write down everything you eat and drink in a day, then record your emotional state morning, noon, and night. Check in with yourself and notice the connection between what you choose to eat and your emotional state. Every time you eat think about fueling yourself physically and mentally.

6. Tapping. Emotional freedom technique tapping can seriously help anxiety as well as many other mental health conditions. EFT tapping helps to balance out the energy in the body, and alleviate emotional and physical pain. I will be doing a whole blog post about this in a few weeks, but feel free to google EFT tapping if you are interested in learning more!

I hope that you are able to incorporate some of these techniques into your daily routine to help manage anxiety. I am not a doctor and am only offering suggestions based upon my own personal experience. Please always remember that anxiety is a mental health condition and it is important to talk to your doctor about creating a treatment plan that would work best for you.

COVID-19 Update

Many of us have now been quarantined for several weeks, and we have been able to adjust into our new reality. Frankly, I feel like I may have a tough time going back to my old routine once this is all over. During this time of reflection I have noticed that there are many parts of my daily routine, and specifically my morning routine, that I do not want to go back to….so I’m not.

I have fallen in love with this slower pace, not setting an alarm most days (although still waking up with the sun), walking miles with my pup, daily yoga and letting go of the grind and the hustle. I have found a way to work less, stress less, and still run a successful company. I’ve enjoyed being in tune with my body and my soul, and understanding what they really need. Starting my mornings mindfully, without rushing to my phone and out the door to a non-stop day of clients, has been life changing.

I don’t miss the 14 hour days, driving around town to clients and appointments, with no real time for myself. I was falling back into bad habits and over-scheduling myself to the point of major stress and exhaustion. I was putting everyone and everything before myself, and I could see it falling apart. The quarantine came at the perfect time for me, a time for me to step back and re-assess where I wanted to put my energy. I absolutely love my company and love what I do, but I knew there was a better way. I knew I could set a better example.

During this time I have really been able to slow down, my stress is virtually gone, my health is improving, and I can see the changes spreading through every area of my life. So no, I will not be going back to my old ways. I have seen the light and learned from my old patterns. I am choosing to do better and be better. I am choosing to set an example for myself and those around me. You can still have everything you want without the non-stop hustle and grind.

Comment below and let me know how you are adjusting. Are there changes you are going to make when we return to “normal”?

Be Well!

A Home Practice is More Important Than Ever

We are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, our schedules have dramatically changed, and we are all working to navigate this new “normal”. It is more important than ever before to establish a home yoga practice. A home yoga practice can be a difficult thing to establish and commit to for several reasons. We often seem to get distracted during our home practice, and can find our eyes wandering during warrior 1, eyeing that pile of laundry that needs to be done. Oftentimes during our home practice our children or pets need us, the phone rings, or you suddenly feel as though you have done enough…after only 15 minutes. A home yoga practice is not easy, and took me years to fully establish - and is still something I struggle with some days. I am one of those people who would always get distracted during my home practice or prioritize everything else in my else except my practice… has anyone else done this??

My home yoga practice changed when I set a schedule and a space for yoga in my daily routine. I practice in the same space everyday, and close the door. I turn my phone on “do not disturb”, and do not think about the emails piling up in my inbox until my practice is over. I always come out of savasana feeling amazing, and it is typically the best thing I have done for myself that day. As women it is difficult for us to prioritize ourselves, we tend to put everyone else needs before ours. It’s not healthy, and one of my favorite quotes says it best “self care is not selfish”. One way in which I feel I have overcome this feeling, and am able to gift myself this time is getting up before the rest of my house is awake and sneak into my “yoga space aka my office” and practice. If I have an early meeting… or let’s be honest if I want to sleep in on a Sunday… then I make sure to schedule some time in for myself later in the day to practice.

My home practice helps me to breathe, to let go of whatever stress has popped up that day (and as a small business owner let me tell you there is always something), and to simply tune into my breath and just be. It allows me to step back from the craziness of life and be present, even if it’s only for 60 minutes, I am able to be fully present and connect with whats really important. My yoga practice keeps me grounded, and allows me to be productive in my work day and allows me to give more fully to my family because I have already nourished myself and my soul.

The COVID-19 has most of us quarantined at home all day, many of us with children, partners, and pets. There is plenty of room for anxiety and stress to creep in. Instead of inviting these negative thoughts to take up space, I encourage you to push them out with yoga and breath. It’s not going to be easy, in fact right now may be the toughest time to start a home practice, but I promise you it will be worth it.

How To Successfully Work From Home

Many of us are unexpectedly working from home these days due to COVID-19. As someone who has been working from home for years now I thought I’d take this time to offer some tips to making the most of your new home office. 

Create a routine. This is probably the biggest tip I can offer. Set up some sort of schedule around your work from home routine. Give yourself designated start and end times for your work day, allowing for breaks in between. 

Even on days I work exclusively from home I maintain the same morning routine. This allows for consistency, and my specific morning routine allows for me to be fueled, hydrated, grateful and super clear heading into my day. 

Get dressed. This may seem like a no brainer, but it’s a biggie. Get up, shower, and get ready for the day. This may look different for everyone, but put some effort in. When we work from home it’s easy to stay in sweats all day, forget our shower, and stop taking care of our physical bodies. I have tried both variations (blog research lol) and I know personally I am way more productive, alert, and creative when I put the effort in. I’m not saying you need to put a suit on to work in your living room, but change out of the sweats, put some mascara on, and put in effort in for YOU. You’ll thank me. 

Set up a designated work space. This can be a tough one depending on your home life and the size of your space. I work from home everyday and have the luxury of having a true home office, a space away from the bedrooms and living area where I can work and create. You don’t need a separate room to create a successful home office. All you need is a designated area for you and any office supplies you need. Limit distractions (this can be tough if you have kids at home) and limit household chores during this time, this is your work time. If you have a partner also working from home right now, try to set up two different unique office spaces to maintain focus and productivity. 

Comment below and let me know how you are creating your own home office during this time!

COVID-19 Pandemic

We are currently living in crazy times. Many of us are quarantined to our homes, unable to see family, friends, or even go to work. The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything I have personally witnessed in my lifetime, and to me most closely resembles the preparation before a big hurricane hits. The stores are empty, people are frantically running around town to gather supplies as they hunker down, and the anxiety is palpable.

My hope is that we can use this extra time at home to detox our homes, our lives, and our minds. To let go of unnecessary clutter, and really just let go of anything that has been holding us back from living the life we know we are meant to live. My hope is that we will use this time to hold our kids, our dogs, and our spouses (anyone who you are quarantined with) a little bit closer. To appreciate what we have, our health will always be our greatest wealth.

Things will be drastically different for many us for the next few weeks and possibly months, and instead of asking “why is this happening to me,” consider that this is actually happening for you. What have you been putting off that you now have time to complete? What changes have you been pondering but too fearful to take the leap? Now is the time to create, dream and plan.

Instead of dreading the isolation, use this time to turn inward and do the hard work on ourselves. Use this time to be grateful for everything you have, instead of focusing on what you are lacking. {glass half full mentality} If you are unemployed or short on work use this time to take an online class, pick up a new hobby or musical instrument, read book, or listen to your favorite podcast. There are so many incredible ways in which we can use this time to grow. Instead of dreading being stuck at home for weeks, flip the script as my husband says and find the silver lining. I am looking at this time as a blessing to complete several projects I have been working on, and to finally make the big push and changes business wise that I have been considering.

Technology is an amazing tool, and now is the time to take advantage of all it’s offerings. Don’t allow the quarantine to keep your from your friends and family, organize daily/weekly meet ups online. Host a game night, a happy hour, or simply take on online class together with your friend (virtually). Turning in and doing the work is important, but so is connection. Find a way to connect with your loved ones and your support team during this crisis. You are never alone.

My hope is that we all will come out of this a little bit kinder, more understanding, with a new resolve to appreciate each day and our daily freedom…. And we will all wash our hands!!

{ps… if you weren’t washing your hands before … why?!?}

Click here to see updates in your state.