Stress Less: Techniques to Manage Anxiety and Increase Mental Clarity

Fun Fact: greens and blues are mentally soothing, that's why hospitals use these colors in muted ways.

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Hey Loves,

I hope you’ve all been practicing the positive thinking techniques we talked about earlier this month! Now, it's time to take it a step further, as we wrap up this month, I want to share some tips on how to manage your stress and anxiety levels. We all have those moments when life gets overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you have the power to take control of your mental health and emotional state.

Here are a few of my favorite techniques to help reduce stress without relying on self-medicating avenues (which are never the best or long-term solution anyway):

1. Get moving: Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. I cannot stress this enough - Move. Your. Ass. It is a #psychological FACT, whether it's going for a walk, taking a yoga class, or hitting the gym, physical activity can help clear your mind and improve your mood and is the #1 recommended medicine for depression and anxiety. I'll get into the physics of it all in another post - but really, just move - where your focus goes, your energy flows!

2. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques like meditation and visualization can help you stay present and focused. Start by taking a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath, spend time in nature or any of the other tips from my previous list on Mindfulness in the Modern World.

3. Get outside: Spending time in nature can be incredibly calming and restorative. Take a walk in the park, go for a hike, or simply sit outside and soak up the sun. I like to lay out in the sun and visualize a beautiful beach and turquoise waves gently tickling my toes as the sun warms my skin - yes, basically, if my eyes are closed and it's sunny - know I'm at the beach in my mind.

4. Connect with friends: Having a support system can make all the difference when you're feeling stressed, trust! Reach out to a friend and schedule a coffee date or a phone call to catch up. I am also a huge fan of virtual cocktail calls with friends who live far away - a friendly voice or face is always a source of clam.

5. Practice gratitude: Take a few minutes each day to focus on the things in your life that you're grateful for. This can help shift your perspective and ease stress. I'm gonna say it again: where your focus goes, your energy flows. Focus on gratitude = become grateful. Focus on negative and anxiety = feel bad and anxious.

6. Laugh it off: Laughter is truly the best medicine! Watch a funny movie, listen to a comedy podcast, or hang out with a friend who always makes you laugh. This is probably the best way to transform your energy. I'm lucky enough to have a husband and partner in crime that literally cannot go a day without making me laugh; it helps that neither of us take ourselves too seriously and we always leave space for silliness. Whether it's your spouse, friend, lover, kid, or a total stranger - leave some space in your life for a good laugh and some goofiness - it works.

Remember, taking care of your heart & head is just as important as taking care of your physical health. So, next time you're feeling stressed, try incorporating these techniques into your routine to help reduce anxiety and increase mental clarity.

And if you’re looking for more ways to remind yourself to be #mindful, #positive, and #stress less – here is some shameless plugging* of one of my favorite brands and tools that help get you there… Eccolo makes fun reminder sets and journals – I’m currently digging their Wellness in a Box

Wellness in a box :  https://amzn.to/448llwk Mindful Mornings : https://amzn.to/3oGiSJn

Literally, ALL of their guided journals are fabulous! Okay, I’m a bit of a journal/ pen and paper freak – but I write – so… Enjoy!!!

Don't forget to tag us and use #stressmanagement #mentalwellness #anxietyrelief for a chance to be featured on our page!

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