MillennialHygge

This week has been a roller coaster of ups and downs.  I’m a “planner” and when things start falling a part it can be very hard to get back on track.  Yesterday I had a “fight or flight” spell.  I was placed in a situation where I had to assert myself and step away.  I can get social anxiety in stressful situations and I believe it stems from the bullying I experienced when I was younger.  As a result my adrenaline started pumping and I was in full flight mode.  I became shaky, slightly upset, and I couldn’t sit still.  I also felt extremely agitated and uneasy. What do you do when you’re in a state of mild or extreme stress?  I needed to created a personal game plan for days like these.  Here are some of my personal tips on calming the brain and going from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest.”  You can take any of these tips and implement them into your own ritual to reduce stress and get back to being happy.

“If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it.”
– George Burns

1. Breathe, breathe, breathe.  Sit down even if you don’t want to.  Sit up straight to practice good posture and inhale through the nose then exhale through your mouth. Do this until you feel more at ease.  Also, take your time and breathe slowly and evenly.

2. Take a magnesium supplement. I personally prefer Natural Vitality.  It tastes like raspberry lemonade and it is very refreshing.  All you need to do is mix the powder in water and for a personal touch add a wedge of lemon for a lovely looking beverage.  When your stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) are out of sorts it is related to a magnesium deficiency.  Taking this supplement has been proven to help monitor stress and keep your body from becoming overloaded.  Magnesium is very important when handling stress. It can even help with anxiety, irritability and being nervous.

3. Once calm, eat something healthy.  It sounds simple but putting nutrient rich foods in your body can really boost morale after a stressful situation.  I also feel like my body recognizes that I’m okay if I’m eating.

4. Sometimes it can be beneficial to talk to someone you trust.  When you talk it out the stress can almost melt away when you’re talking to a trusted loved one.  The next thing you know you’ll be on a different topic, you’ll feel better, and the stress will get left behind. I’m lucky to have a husband who can lead me down the rabbit hole in conversation and before I know it I’m laughing about something random and I’m smiling again.

5. On an extra stressful day I will also take a vitamin called Gaia “Sleep Thru” to promote a good nights sleep. When I’m having a stressful day I do whatever I can to achieve a deep restful sleep.  After taking these vitamins I always feel better the next day. I make a cup of hot lemon water, take my vitamins and relax before bed as the last piece to my ritual.  I woke up feeling ready to take on life again.

These tips are simple but it has become a good go-to ritual for my stressful days.  I can reset my head and get back to all the wonderful things that are happening in my life. As the saying goes… too blessed to be stressed.