Happy Hump Day Wednesday!
I thought in addition to my gift guide of the day I wanted to talk about mental health. 2020 has been a rocky year but the one thing it has made me do is come face to face with my mental health and finding new ways to become the best person of myself. While it is not an easy journey, it is something that I have tried to be consistent in. I know that especially the holiday season, there is a ton of pressure to be happy, but it is ok not to be ok. I also want to emphasize something I have learned: nothing changes if nothing changes. I think that therapy and medication are both very helpful and definitely things we should normalize but also choosing everyday to work towards getting better. Today I am going to share with you all some things I have implemented in my life that I have noticed (over time) have helped me feel a little lighter and manage my anxiety. I realize that I am not professionally trained in this category of help and definitely recommend seeking professional help if need be, but these are just somethings I have found to be helpful if you are able to get professional health. I also want to disclaim that I try to do these whenever I can but there are some days when I can't. Your best is correct and that's all you can ask of yourself!
Enjoy!
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Journaling and Practicing Gratitude
This has been one of the biggest game changers for me. I have noticed that when I am anxious I usually focus of the negative which encourages the cycle to continue, but when I decided to practice gratitude, it reminded me that there are still good things happening in the chaos. I try to do this in the morning to start off on the right foot. In my Five Minute Journal that I have talked about in other posts, there is a place to write down three things that you are grateful for. It changes everyday, but this reminds me that either big or small, there is something out there to be grateful for. I also have started journaling almost everyday to just process things or just do a brain dump. I am definitely better at putting my thoughts into words, so this has also just been a great things for me to clear my brain. Sometimes it reveal things that I didn't know where on my mind.
Doing a "Following Detox"/ Following People Who Will Encourage You
As much as I love social media, it is extremely toxic. I have noticed how addicted I am to going on my phone and mindlessly scrolling and then seeing people that I don't even know. I have gone on a huge unfollowing spree to just get rid of the toxicity or people that I just don't even have in my life anymore, but I also have followed people who I feel inspired by and who I look up to. It makes social media so much more enjoyable and what it is meant to be.
Going to Bed and Waking Up Earlier
This has taken some practice because I love my TikTok wind downs before I go to bed, but the two are closely correlated (obviously). Going to bed earlier makes it easier to wake up earlier. I have started going to bed around 10pm and waking up at 6:30am. I do this for a couple reasons- 1: it ensures getting a solid 8.5 hours of sleep. 2: I can do an early work out or just have more time in the morning to read and journal. 3: It is easier for me to work in the morning rather than at night. I have found this to be super beneficial and have found some satisfaction with " getting up with the sun". Also , since I am still living with my family it is nice to have some time where I am the only one awake. With the help of melatonin gummies, I have been able to make this a practice for the last couple of months and have really begun to like it.
Reading a Chapter in a Book a Day
We spend so much time on screens, whether that be phone, computer, or TV. It is nice to actually pick up a book and disconnect from the world for a little bit. Quarantine has ignited my interest in books. Both non-fiction and novels, I have loved the feeling of getting into a good book and then finishing it. Reading was something I always struggled with when I was younger and never really had any remote interest in, so now I have loved being able to actually enjoy it. I have read all types of things from "self-help" books, fashion books, biographies, and just regular fiction. Reading allows you to learn, but also allows you to have a break from an wired world.
Drinking More Water
We hear it all the time, but never really do it. Water is the source of all growth whether it be for our skin, our digestion, or energy. Drinking more water will make you feel less bloated which is always a side effect whenever I am in my funks. Drink water will also flush out the toxins in your body and fuels your body to keep working throughout the day. All in all, it is definitely something to implement in your day to day!
Creating a Steady Skincare Routine
My skin was something I was always so insecure about and to be fair it was because I never took the time to take care of it. When you are in a slump it can be hard to do that five step skincare routine, thus continuing the problem. Some of you and by some I mean literally one person on my Instagram asked me for my skincare routine because my skin has cleared up a lot in the past couple of months. I used to struggle with sever acne between the ages of 18-20 ( a little after the puberty curve). I recently found my perfect line for this time in my life. I use the Milky Jelly Cleanser from Glossier, followed by Micellar Water from the Simple brand. I then use the Simple Pure Serum from Glossier, followed by the Summer Fridays' Jet Lag Moisturizer. I finish it off with the Supergoop Matte Sunscreen. I also have gotten on birth control over the past couple of months which has also helped, but using the cleaner skincare has in my routine has been a huge game changer.
Drinking Less Alcohol
Sometimes it seems so easy to self-medicate when we feel bad about ourselves, but it actually ends up making things worse because then there is a sense of guilt that comes after the binge. I tired just drinking less in the month of November whether that meant not drinking at all or just having one glass of wine for the night. It decreases
Challenging Your Friends To Do It All With You
The cheesy saying "your vibe attracts your tribe" actually has some truth behind it. Your best friends know you best and sometimes can encourage you on your downward spiral even when it is not intentional! Challenging your friends to change their mindsets can help create a sense of accountability for you and also may help them in return. It is always easier to make a change when you have someone to do it with!
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What are some things that have helped you recently?
Stay UNIQUE and Happy Holidays!
Sara Anne
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