Coping with anxiety and stress naturally.
During these uncertain times your body may feel fatigued, you may be plagued with headaches, or stomach upset. Maybe you are having sleepless nights or racing thoughts. Perhaps you find your biting your nails, picking at your cuticles, eating too many carbs or consuming too much sugar. Are you talking quicker than usual, constantly thinking you are getting sick, finding it hard to put social media down or impossible to stop watching or reading the news?
Your emotional state may oscillate between happy, sad, confused, fits of anger or even tears at inappropriate moments.
Stress causes your tiny almond shaped amygdala located behind your ear to spring into action and inform the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, a hormone the body makes to combat stress. Overproduction of cortisol burns out the adrenal glands lowering the immune system and putting further stress on the body.
Luckily, we have many natural ways to help cope with stress. Firstly, it is important to try to ground yourself. Grounding is when the body feels as one with the Earth, a safe and secure feeling that you are meant to be here, and all is well. We do this by connecting with nature. Walk outside, touch trees, put your bare feet in the soil, under leaves, or in the ocean or sand. If getting outside is not possible, sit in a sunny window for 10 minutes or listen to the rain or wind.
Try wrapping yourself tightly in a blanket and get under your bed or in a small space to feel warm and protected. Many people use weighted vests or blankets to help feel heavier in their bodies thus feeling safer. You can make a weighted vest by putting hand weights or heavy items in the pockets of sweaters or jackets and wearing them for 2-5 hours a day. You can make a weighted blanked by putting heavy pillows on top of you while you relax in bed.
Self-care is key during stressful times. Remember to take a bath, play your favorite music, dance, and burn candles or spray scents which are favorable to you. Use lavender massage oil to rub on the back of your neck or temples to reduce anxiety and induce a feeling of calm.
Tapping is an excellent way to break up fatigue on the facial muscles and release holding patterns around the jawline and eyes. Lightly tap the face as if you are touching a hot iron starting on forehead and moving around the face and up into the sinus cavity and around the jaw. This technique reduces tension headaches and can relieve sinus pressure.
The 5 6 7 deep breathing technique resets the nervous system and reduces anxiety. Take a deep breath in through your nose for the count of 5, hold this breath for the count of 6 and then release through an open mouth for the count of 7. Try doing these three or four times throughout the day, especially when you are starting to feel overwhelmed.
Meditation and prayer are ideal to help reduce stress as well as working with crystals.
I always suggest working with the Root Chakra crystals which are typically red in color such as Carnelian, Garnet, Tigers Eye, Red Jasper, and Bloodstone. You can also utilize the grounding energy of Black Tourmaline, Petrified Wood or Hematite. Carry the crystals with you in your pockets or place them in an area you can see easily. When you start to feel anxious, hold those crystals with your left hand, which is your receiving hand and feel the grounding heavy energy that will vibrate around you. Repeating positive affirmations such as, “I am safe and secure” or “I am exactly where I should be”.
Energy Bracelets are powerful adornments which help make positive change. Amazing Earth hand string several different types of genuine gemstone bracelets to help people cope with anxiety. Not only are Energy Bracelets beautiful, they are an easy way to remind yourself to let go of anxiety and reset your thought patterns. Many of our clients will rub their crystal energy bracelets between their fingers to reduce stress or twist them around their wrist as they repeat positive affirmations.
Remember, social distancing does not mean emotional distancing. Reach out to family and friends to help you feel connected and remind you we are all in this together.