How Does Self-Care Help Eliminate Anxiety, Fear, and Lack of Focus?
Ok, I’m SO with you. The stress, the fear, the feeling of stagnation and lack of focus and motivation. What should you do about it?
Baby steps in the right direction can make a world of difference, and I want to share what I’ve been doing the last few days (and the next few) to cope with this intense stress. In this blog, you’ll discover how self-care impacts the negative emotions you feel and how
1. Drink more water
As part of my self-care routine, I drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. I won’t let myself drink my wine nightcap until I’ve gotten my water. Do whatever motivates you to hydrate better! Don’t shoot for perfection, just shoot for better.
Researchers have linked dehydration to mood swings, tiredness, headaches, and fatigue. So you can just imagine how simply hydrating can create so much change in how you feel.
Additionally, dehydration contributes to depression, reduces the brain’s energy, impedes the brain’s serotonin production, increases stress in the body, and can also lead to a panic attack.
Imagine how all of that can be avoided if you add a healthy hydration habit into your lifestyle?
2. Take a Bath
I used to bathe almost every day, and I do manage my stress better when I take a regular hot bath. I love to add Epsom salt, Himalayan salt, essential oils, or a CBD bath bomb… and sometimes all of that!
When you increase your core temperature, warm baths help to strengthen and synchronize your circadian rhythm, which affects your organs, but most importantly, the brain.
Having baths also aids with sleep, and we know how a good night’s sleep can help with our mental health.
3. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is my absolute go to when I’m having a hard time winding down from the day. Studies have shown chamomile to be effective in aiding with relaxation, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Of course, since it’s an herb, it’s not going to have as strong of an effect on a person’s anxiety as much as a pharmaceutical drug can, but it’s a natural remedy that is worth a try!
4. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an herbal medicine recommended by an awesome dietician friend of mine, Eleni Ottalagana to help with sleep. While it didn’t necessarily help me sleep, it really relaxes my jaw at night, alleviating the grinding that can get really intense and painful during these stressful times. Most of the understanding we have about ashwagandha is based on its substantial anecdotal history. But more clinical studies are being done, finding ashwagandha to be very helpful to calm anxiety. I picked mine up in pill form at Costco and/or Whole Foods.
5. Communicate your emotions
I can’t finish without reminding you to reach out. Depending on others for help can also be classed as a way to do self-care. Talking about your thoughts and emotions with a person you think can understand you best is a good way to keep the bad feelings away. Call a friend, a coworker, your doctor, therapist, a help hotline, a member of your family whom you trust. Calling whomever gives you comfort and kind words will be a good way to channel your frustrations into something therapeutic and productive. Don’t suffer alone. We’re all going through it in one way or another and talking about your feelings REALLY helps.
6. Get in touch with nature
When in doubt, turn to nature.
A form of therapy called, “ecotherapy” has been developed to expose patients with mild to moderate depression to nature. With the combined social and physical aspects of walking around in nature, patients become exposed to the natural elements that help improve their well-being.
For that reason, I have always gone to mini nature adventures myself.
Quick shoutout to my favorite mini nature retreats that seriously help me re-boot. Find your places that help you refill and go there! (Safely, of course)
– Cosmic Coffee
– The Wildflower Center
– Zilker Park
– Casa de Luz
7. Practice self-care through massages
When our anxieties have built up inside of us, it’s important that we find a good outlet to help release them. Among these outlets is getting a nice massage that can help relieve the tense muscles and aching joints that can contribute to adding the pain you already feel. Whenever I feel the stress creeping in, I make sure to take a break once in a while and go for a monthly massage. Not only is this my way of practicing self-care in my life, but a way to prevent the stressors from becoming overwhelming.
Related: How Often Should You Get A Massage?
You deserve a life that’s stress-free!
We’ll help you release your anxieties, fears, and anything that’s preventing you from maintaining focus and keeping yourself motivated.
We want you to feel good!
We want you to be pain-free!
Love you all. We’re in this together. Austin Strong!