Tips for Anxiety Relief (from someone with severe anxiety)

Feel Your Breath: 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

When you’re starting to feel anxious or stressed, try the 4-7-8 breathing technique! It goes like this… breathe in for 4 seconds, hold it in for 7 seconds, and breathe out for 8 seconds. It’s easy to do anywhere at any time and allows you to focus on your breathing, relaxing your mind and body. 

Ground Yourself

This is especially important if you’re having an actual anxiety or panic attack. I like to find 10 items in my room and name them off out loud to myself. Grounding yourself, putting yourself in the present moment, can help stop your brain from over thinking and stop the anxious thoughts you’re experiencing. If possible, go outside and take off your shoes, to connect with the earth (preferably grass!)

CBD – Ned 

I truly can’t recommend CBD enough! For me, it’s a life-saver. CBD has a way of calming the body and brain unlike anything I’ve ever tried before. If you struggle sleeping because of your anxiety, it can help with that too! Five Journeys sells ‘Ned’ CBD Oil and has had a lot of positive feedback from their members. Call (617) 934-6400 to place an order. 

Lavela

This is derived from Lavender, and works great for people with anxiety.  Because it’s lavender based, it’s super safe, too! Visit the Five Journeys online store or call (617) 934-6400 to place an order. 

Socialize With Friends

Distraction, distraction, distraction…

Although everyone needs to keep 6ft apart from others right now, that doesn’t have to stop us from calling or facetiming our friends! Talking to our friends can distract us from anxious feelings and thoughts. It’s important to still keep in touch with your community, even in isolation. I’d like to give a personal thank you to technology for making this possible!

Limit Caffeine & Sugar in Your Diet

Many of us know that too much caffeine can cause jittery and anxious feelings. However, what’s not talked about enough are the effects sugar has on your body/brain. I didn’t know this until I saw a Nutritionist for the first time, and told her about my anxiety. She then suggested I cut back on my sugar intake and see if I notice a difference. To my surprise, my anxiety decreased tremendously!

Having a sugar craving? My favorite sugar-free snack is this chocolate pudding. And it’s incredibly easy! Just blend together 1 banana, ½ avocado, and cacao powder! It’s low sugar and makes a delicious creamy pudding. 

Meditate 

Start small and find an app or online video for meditation. It forces you to focus on your breathing and live in the present moment. 

Get Outside & Tuck Your Phone Away

As you all know, COVID-19 is all over the news, constantly popping up in our notifications, and the talk of every work place (in office and virtually). Feels hard to escape. But to reset and get away from the chaos, lets get outside, tuck our electronic devices away, and breath in some fresh air for 30+ minutes a day.