My 16 Tools and Tricks To Combat Stress & Anxiety
Have you ever felt like cute Mr. Pug man? Have you found yourself unable to escape that antsy heart rate, those overwhelming thoughts, or apprehensive nature? Have you ever been wide awake before bed wondering how you can simply let go and fall asleep, or in a social situation consumed by restlessness looking for an escape? Have you ever felt like you’ve given up on managing your stress? Or feel like this will be something you have to deal with forever?
If you can relate with any of the above statements then you know what it’s like to experience anxiety, and let me tell you… I hear you and I see you and you’re not alone! Not only are you not alone, but millions of other people can relate too. From my personal experience, I have learned TONS of tools and tricks to release stress, tension, built-up emotions, negativity, etc. What I’ve found from them is that not only do they work, but I really enjoy these tools and find them to soothing, relaxing, and even luxurious. In no particular order, I’ve listed them below:
1. Epsom Salt Magnesium
You can add the epsom salt to a bath, or if you don’t have a bath you can use the epsom salt as a scrub on your skin. I like to buy fragrance free epsom salt. The link for the kind I use is below.
2. Foot massages
There are SO many benefits to foot massages. For me, a foot massage is my go-to when I’m looking for a quick way to relax without committing to too much time. I love them because you can get one as quick as 25 minutes which easily fits into your lunch break or post-work routine. An additional bonus to foot massages is that they are inexpensive. With a tip included, mine comes out to $30 which is about 2 meals out on the town. To learn more about foot massages click on this link: https://draxe.com/health/reflexology/.
3. Calm
Magnesium is my go-to supplement for feeling soothed. The brand Calm has a powder form of magnesium which can be added to water bottles, teas, etc. I drink this before bed or even on the go throughout my work day. Most people are deficient in magnesium so this is beneficial on a physiological level as well. I attached the Amazon link below. You can also buy it at Whole Foods or vitamin stores. In addition, magnesium has many other health benefits and is critical to your well being. To learn more, I linked an article by Mark Hyman, MD: https://drhyman.com/blog/2010/05/20/magnesium-the-most-powerful-relaxation-mineral-available/.
4. Acupuncture
The thought of needles going into your skin may sound scary and intimidating… Well that’s because the thought of needles going into your skin is very much scary and intimidating. After reading countless articles on the benefits of acupuncture, I decided to give it a try. It was not scary or what I thought it was going to be. My doctor made me feel comfortable the whole time and used the tiniest of needles where I could barley feel them as they were inserted (sometimes you will feel them). The needles were so flimsy that the doctor showed me that they actually bent back and forth AKA they are not scary. I was sold after my first experience. I was so relaxed it felt like I just did 3 yoga classes and was stuck in shavasana on my couch (which is probably best pose of yoga?!?). I have gone back for neck pain, allergies, and more and found it all to be extremely beneficial. My doctor was recommended by a friend in the field. I would highly recommend doing research on different doctors. Here is more information on acupuncture: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/acupuncture.
5. Saunas
Saunas are the BEST. I switch it up between infrared saunas and traditional saunas. Saunas offer a place to unplug, and be still.. all while receiving calming, detoxing, and rejuvenating benefits. For more information on saunas click on the links: https://draxe.com/health/infrared-sauna/ and https://www.sunlighten.com/blog/dr-mark-hyman-benefits-infrared-sauna-therapy.
6. CBD
I carry CBD with me in my purse and love using it as needed for its natural and calming properties. I know that CBD is an emerging product, so it’s fair to be weary of it, but it personally makes me feel more level-headed and at-ease.
7. Exercise
ANY type of movement is considered exercise in my book. Why exercise when you’re stressed? Exercise releases endorphins, and endorphins make you feel GOOD. It’s science. Wearing a watch or having a pedometer (can be purchased for under $25) that tracks your steps per day can be an insightful tool for showing how active you are per day. My goal every day is 10,000 steps. Some days I go well beyond and other days I fall short.. I call it balance. Taking the stairs, taking the trash out, going for an evening walk, walking around the house while you’re on the phone, are all examples of movement that you can do throughout the day to get those endorphins flowing.
8. Massage gun
Need I say more?! Who doesn’t want a massage gun to release all of that tension. You can find a ton of different brands on Amazon. I would check the reviews before purchasing.
9. Grounding
Grounding is just too cool. It literally means putting your feet on the ground, or laying down on the ground. The ground releases negative ions and electrons— which in layman’s terms means when your body is in direct contact with the ground it receives an overload of calming properties via the skin to relax and release tension. Here is a documentary for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44ddtR0XDVU&ab_channel=Earthing.
10. Guided mediations
You can go onto YouTube and search any type of guided meditation, and see what style fits your personality. You can pick the amount of time desired as well. I, personally, love following Boho Beautiful on YouTube for guided meditations: https://www.youtube.com/c/bohobeautiful. Another popular search is The Honest Guys: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHonestGuys. A newer one is called Calm: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChSpME3QaSFAWK8Hpmg-Dyw.
11. Heating pad
Any type of heating pad will suffice. I got mine off Amazon. I love using a heating pad before bed, while watching TV or while reading a book. I usually put it on my lower back, neck/shoulder area or stomach which is where I hold most of my tension.
12. Chakra guided mediations
Until I read Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss, I always thought the talk of chakras didn’t hold much credibility. I then became fascinated by the healing powers of connecting with your energy and how natural and simple this practice is. Chakras are energy centers in your body and if they become imbalanced or blocked one may feel physical or emotional symptoms. I attached two links below for examples of chakra meditations. You can do a whole body scan or you can search a meditation on a specific chakra that you’d like to work on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeGT1VXwfx4&ab_channel=GreatMeditation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta4wjcUYHpg&ab_channel=TheHonestGuys-Meditations-Relaxation.
13. Massages
A lot of people think of massages only as a high-end treatment. I personally like to include as many massages as possible into my life as they are much more than a spa day. Massages can reduce stress and anxiety, boost immunity, help with lower back pain, can help lower blood pressure and regulate hormones, etc. The feeling after you leave a massage speaks for itself. Your body is rid of tension/stress and your mind feels more clear. Treat your self!
14. Therapy
Out of all of the tools or tricks, therapy has been the most beneficial for me. It has allowed me to dive deep into my habits and train of thought to create solutions to live a more wholesome and meaningful life. I am so grateful for my therapist who has helped me heal in so many ways. There is a stigma that you only go to therapy if something is “wrong”, and I know this first hand, because thats what my perception of therapy was… for basically my whole life. Now, I would recommend therapy to anyone and everyone as it allows you to create a space for growth and a place to have intentional and loving relationships with not only yourself but everyone around you. Why not be the best version of yourself?
15. Vitamins:
A multivitamin, B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin D are my favorite vitamins to support my well being. I like to buy all of my vitamins and supplements from Whole Foods. The people working in the Whole Body section of the store are educated on all the different brands and are always super helpful.
16. Tapping
I learned this from therapy. It’s pretty interesting. It may or may not resonate with you, but I’ve attached a video for more details on tapping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAclBdj20ZU&ab_channel=TheTappingSolution. You can do this literally anywhere at any time.
Hopefully by now you’re starting to feel like this relieved and chilled-out golden retriever, knowing that there’s not only hope to drastically reduce stress, but that it can also be a TREAT and wonderful to take care of yourself in the ways you deserve.
