Tag Archives: mental health

May6

Reducing Anxiety During Lock Down

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Reducing Anxiety During Lock Down

For many people, the experience of being in lock down is something that might be negatively affecting their mental health in a number of ways. One of the most common experiences that people are reporting here is anxiety, which is an understandable reaction to being made to stay at home during a pandemic for an undefined amount of time. But no matter how bad your anxiety might get, the truth about this feeling is that it is manageable – even if it doesn’t always feel like it. In this post, we’ll look at some great practical management tips for your lock down anxiety:

Practice Good Breathing:

If you don’t generally think much about what your breath is doing, you will find that simply stopping to pay attention to it every now and then is really going to help. But you need to be doing it quite a lot as a standard thing, so that you are not just relying on your breathing skills once you are in the midst of anxiety and really need it. Conscious breathing throughout the day is linked to a much lower incidence of anxiety, and it also gives you a useful tool to use when it strikes, so make sure that you are using this in your life as soon as possible.

Try Alternative Medicines:

Although you generally need to be careful about which medicines you try and what alternatives you go for, there are some which are likely to be particularly useful at pretty much any time, and which you might want to think about utilizing in your own life if you are struggling with anxiety. For instance, the use of CBD oil has been known to help many people with anxiety, and that’s why it’s so popular at the moment. But be careful: make sure you know the difference between hemp oil vs CBD oil and that you are using it sensibly when you do so.

Focus On The Present:

Anxiety lives in the future, or sometimes even in the past – but never in the present. If you are finding your mind going haywire with potential circumstances that might occur, you might find it useful to return your grounding to the present moment. Simply doing this and making a point of focusing on what is happening right here and now will help you to keep your anxiety at bay. You will find this to be an amazing tool when you are in the midst of anxiety, but also as a general practice to help manage it.

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Relieve Stress Regularly:

Finally, remember to try and relieve the body and mind of stress as regularly as you can. If you allow stress to build up, then you are going to find that it makes for a much more anxious life in general. Not to mention that you will probably suffer all sorts of physical problems too as a result of the cortisol flowing through you.

Use the tips above to help manage your anxiety more effectively today!

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Apr24

No New Nails

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No New Nails

Hello! If you recall, I recently bought a DIY acrylic kit to attempt to fill my talons from home. I’d love to tell you that it worked and my nails look fabulous. But, sadly, it ended up being a crap lousy attempt during a crap lousy day. Mannnn, I don’t know what it was. I guess it was a combination of a bunch of stuff, so let’s discuss:

Despite all of the ideas that I have been posting to keep all of you entertained in self-isolation, no one is saying that it still doesn’t suck. Lol, I guess the day I tried to do my nails, I was really feeling down – blame it on my impending period or all of the coronavirus panic but, damn. Once the acrylic on my nails just refused to dry, the waterworks started flowing.

Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t just the nails but a build up of a difficult few weeks. Work has been long and boring, tax season and car repairs bled my bank account, and the weather has been crap so leaving the house just for a walk with my boyfriend has been impossible. Call it cabin fever or the pre-period crazies but your girl just cracked.

I cried, and I cried, and I cried some more. Thankfully, my boyfriend was nothing short of supportive and always talks me through my moments when my struggle with depression just gets the best of me. Eventually, once I calmed down, I removed my fake nails and after another cry sesh, Johnny put America’s Next Top Model on for me like the angel he is.

Like I said, no one is saying that this isn’t a hard time and it manifests itself in different ways. Have you felt over emotional lately? Has your normal sleep pattern been disrupted? Are you exhausted all the time? Cause same. And my best advice? Seek the comfort of those you love.

It’s easy when you’re feeling upset to not want to be around someone but, seriously, talk to someone. In my case, I ended up having to cry into the arms of my boyfriend after avoiding talking about how I was feeling once the metaphorical straw broke the camel’s back. Don’t let yourself get to this point because, chances are, everyone is feeling the same way and maybe they need to talk, too.

Contact your friends, do something that makes you smile, or watch a funny movie and get yourself back on track. We can all do this!

How have you been dealing emotionally with the coronavirus? What do you do to make yourself feel better? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr22

Feeling Stressed In Isolation? Let’s Fix That

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Feeling Stressed In Isolation? Let’s Fix That

Do you feel stressed being confined to your home? Well, you’re not alone. Studies seem to suggest that while social distancing may be reducing the spread of the coronavirus, it’s also causing a surge in mental health issues and that’s a problem. However, there are ways to beat back the stress and protect your mental health in your own home. Here are some of the best options that we recommend:

Keep Your Schedule:

This one is particularly important according to the experts. You need to make sure that you are sticking to the same schedule that you were on before lock down began. If you don’t do this, you’ll throw your levels of energy and your sleeping pattern off course. This can cause you to feel more stressed because you’ll be getting less sleep at night. So rather than throwing the alarm away, make sure that you rise with the sun. Start work if you’re working and if you’re not, why not begin the day with some light exercise.

Exercise will help too. Staying active is going to help you burn off that stress and keep your mental health in check. It will mean that you don’t have to worry about your body starting to succumb to aches and pains simply because you’re not using it enough. Remember, you can be creative with different types of exercises too. For instance, you can throw a dance party on Zoom with friends and family members.

Eat Well:

Various studies have shown time and time again that issues with your diet can cause problems with your mental health. If you don’t eat right, then there’s a good chance that you are going to feel more stressed than usual and it will impact your mood. The problem is that you might not have the energy or the motivation to cook a full meal and that’s okay. You can make this easier by using a meal preparation service. With a solution like this, you will be able to make sure that you get the delicious meal you want without having to worry about all of the issues with preparation. There are lots of great companies that offer this service. For instance, you can consider Hello Fresh vs Home Chef to find the right choice for you.

Me Time:

Finally, while it might seem odd to say, you could be finding it difficult to get the time to yourself that you need. Particularly, if you are a parent and working from home while still trying to make sure that your kids stay on top of their school work. But it’s important that you do take an hour or so out of the day to just relax, unwind, and forget about what’s going on in the world for a little while.

It’s tough to stay positive at times like this but looking after your body and your mind is always going to be a step in the right direction.

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Apr17

Top Four Ways To Protect Yourself From The Wider Effects Of Coronavirus

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Top Four Ways To Protect Yourself From The Wider Effects Of Coronavirus

Coronavirus is sweeping the globe, and it doesn’t matter who you are, it affects you. There is a lot of advice out there for the obvious ways to protect yourself and how to deal with symptoms, but what about all of the other things coronavirus is responsible for? Check out our list of the top four ways to protect yourself from the broader effects of coronavirus:

Claiming what you’re eligible for:

Whether this is through work or the government, make sure you know precisely what is out there and whether you can claim for it or not. If you are eligible, claim! Don’t hold yourself back because you think someone else might need it more, or because you don’t want to be a burden. If you’re entitled to it, ask for it.

Disability insurance:

Disability insurance can be a great way of covering yourself throughout a pandemic, like coronavirus. Coronavirus (or COVID-19) is included in some disability insurance policies. Go through your paperwork and ensure your provider will cover you. Some kinds of insurance policies will cover you through the death of a loved one. Out of all the deaths caused by coronavirus, 1% is of people under 50. If you have to take care of someone seriously ill or go into isolation or quarantine, this can create a need to claim on your insurance.

Mental health:

It’s not just your household’s physical health that you need to look after. Being in quarantine or on lock down has a massive impact on your mental health. It can cause depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as creating frustration and irritability. If you’re cooped up with family, roommates, or even just pets, you’re likely to get cross with someone eventually. Trying out calming techniques like meditation and mindfulness can really help. It’s also worth encouraging discussion of your emotions as a family. Frequently remind your household that everyone is tense because of lock down, and if someone does snap, everyone else should try not to take it too personally.

Balance your consumption of the news:

Following the news has never been more critical. You need to know what the government is currently advising and what the latest updates are, but you don’t need to know every last detail if this upsets you. Obsessing over the news won’t help you, but locking yourself in a bubble is not the way to cope, either. Limit yourself to checking a reputable news source once or twice a day — coronavirus news doesn’t move much faster than that anyway.

Avoid sources that are not major news providers or your government. It’s best to stay well away from the speculation on social media. If it keeps appearing on your dash, block the keywords or tags, or unfollow whoever is posting it. Use social media to stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues, and to pass the time in a fun and pleasant way.

Stay safe and follow these four tips to get through the coronavirus pandemic.

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Apr15

Looking On The Bright Side

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Looking On The Bright Side

Hi! While things are so uncertain and the best course of action is to just stay home to help combat the coronavirus, it’s easy to feel down in the dumps. There’s nowhere to go, there’s nothing to do, and cabin fever could definitely be kicking in. And what’s more? The internet is filled with people telling their newsfeed to just get over it, making it difficult to decipher how to feel at all.

Well, I’m here to tell you that it is absolutely okay to not know how to feel considering we’ve literally never experienced anything like this before. It’s also okay to be disappointed about all of the events or occasions that have been cancelled due to the current state. I know I am and I have found that once I acknowledged that I was upset and allowed to be, I felt a whole lot better.

I know it sounds tacky and a bit too simple but, sometimes, the only thing that can make you feel better is looking on the bright side. So tip your cap in acknowledgement to your upsets and remember the following:

There is safety in being at home:

When you’re bored out of your gourd at home, remember that you are safe and that is a blessing. And, I know you are all sick of hearing that it’s time to learn something new… But try learning something new! Noticing little improvements every day you practice a new skill will make for some excitement and you’ll come out of this situation being able to do something you haven’t before. All of this from the safety of your home? Score!

There are things to look forward to:

I work with people with special needs and a lot of my clients are having a hard time understanding why I can’t take them out in the community anymore. So, I told all of them to come up with a special activity that we can do together once things open up again. Whether that be a favorite restaurant or going to the flea market, I wanted each of them to have something to look forward to as the days at home progress.

All of you can do this too! Come up with a perfect day out. Whether you spend it alone, with friends and family, or with a significant other make sure it’s something that you can think about and be excited for. That’s the most important part.

There are options:

Although none of the social distancing methods are as good as the real thing of sitting down next to a friend and having a chat – there are still options. Have a virtual drink over video chat with your friends. Talk to your neighbors from your porch. Visit your friend’s village on Animal Crossing. Yes, they are not the best options but they are there and are worth taking advantage of if you’re missing social contact.

And remember:

Most importantly, don’t stress yourself out about feeling like there’s nothing to do because we’re all in the same boat. There is nothing wrong with treating yourself to another Netflix bingeathon or a take out meal because we should be indulging in little things that make us feel good right now. Just remember to look on the bright side and all will be well. 🙂

What do you do to improve your mood during this crazy time? How do you look on the bright side? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr13

Why We’re Becoming A Healthier Society

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Why We’re Becoming A Healthier Society

We may be in the middle of the coronavirus problem, but there’s much to be hopeful for. We’re the healthiest society that the world has ever seen, and by a long way. Indeed, there have been many great advances made in the past hundred years, to the point where many of the problems that plagued past generations are beginning to become a thing of the past. For instance, we’ve made a lot of progress when it comes to child mortality, which is the lowest it has ever been, and people are living longer (and better) too. So what’s driven these changes? We take a look at a few reasons why we’re becoming healthier below:

What’s Good For You:

Humans advance because we’re able to build on the knowledge of the generation that has come before us. If we all had to start from scratch, we’d be in much worse shape! Today, we know a lot of things we need to do in order to be at our best. If you can eat fresh fruit and vegetables, get your dose of minerals and vitamins, and work up a sweat, then you’ll be in a good position, health-wise. We can all be healthiest just by having the right things be a part of our lives.

What To Avoid:

And then there’s the matter of what to avoid. You’ve got to feel sorry for people who were subjected to the smoking adverts of the 1940s and ’50s; they had no idea just what a negative impact cigarettes would have on their health. Fortunately, now we do. Research has told us the things that we should avoid if we want to be our healthiest selves. For example, we know that we shouldn’t eat too much junk food, drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes.

Medical Advances:

Of course, even if people did all of the things they were supposed to, there’s always a chance of falling ill. We’ve made great advances in this area, too, so that illness and conditions that were previously hard to treat have become much more manageable. There has been particular progress made in the fields of cancer treatment, diabetes management, heart issues, and other serious conditions. While these things still pose a threat to the general well being of society, there are many reasons why there’s cause to be optimistic.

Focus on the Mind:

We’ve also made progress because we know that the physical and mental aspects of our body aren’t separate; they’re intertwined. Whereas in the olden days, medicine focused totally on the physical well being of the patient, today we’re paying more attention to the mental side of things. We know more about talking therapies, prescriptions, and a number of other treatment paths that can get the best results for people with mental health issues. As Shape says, we are also finding out more about the advantages of supplements like CBD. We’re able to guide people who are suffering from depression and other mental health issues in the right direction.

Clean Standards:

Finally, perhaps the biggest reason why we’re becoming healthier is that we have cleaner standards. This has been the thing that has curbed coronavirus more than anything else. We take it for granted, but there were many periods in history where people didn’t wash their hands.

Despite things being scary right now, there are still many positive changes that have been made to healthcare to be proud of.

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Apr3

Self-Isolation Recommendations

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Self-Isolation Recommendations

Hello! With self-isolation still going strong and cabin fever officially setting in, I thought I would post about my recommendations to keep your day running as normally as possible – especially if you are working from home or not working right now. I am so thankful that I can still work but it is pretty boring because it’s not like I can take my clients anywhere!

I definitely have been feeling antsy lately because I just want to DO something. But, these little tricks have helped me keep some ounce of sanity during this lock down:

Get ready in the morning:

Towards the beginning of the stay at home order, I pretty much gave up on my morning hair and makeup routine and that was a big mistake. Wearing comfy clothes and a fresh face all day gave me zero motivation and it almost felt like an excuse to have a “lazy” day. So now, even if I am just staying home or hanging at a client’s house for the day, I get myself ready – even if it’s not my full routine. I still feel put together, a lot better, and it adds a renewed pep to my step.

Follow a routine:

Things feel so chaotic right now and when you have ample free time to fill with nothing to do it can be quite overwhelming. Routines always make me feel more at ease and it keeps my day running smoothly without the awkward pause of figuring out what to do next. Plan out what you intend to do for the day every morning while you’re getting yourself ready and see your day improve.

Set up a place to work:

If you are working from home right now, set up a place to work that isn’t the couch! We all know how easy it is to set the laptop aside and turn the TV on and that shouldn’t be a constant mental battle while you’re doing your job. Clean off a cluttered desk or work at your kitchen table and try to follow your normal work schedule as closely as you can – lunch and coffee breaks too!

Cook your meals:

I have had takeout a few times in self-isolation but I have been doing my best to cook the meals that I eat at my apartment. It feels good to see and taste something that you made and that can be a real high point of the day – not to mention all of the money you’ll save! Get creative with new recipes or make old favorites. And, no matter how your meal turns out, at least you killed some time. 😉

Don’t be a night owl:

I notice that it’s been harder for me to go to bed at night because I have so much extra energy that I haven’t done anything with all day. I understand completely how difficult it is to not give into the night owl temptation but I promise it won’t be worth it when you go back to work with a totally thrown off schedule.

If you’re having difficulty falling asleep, try going for a walk or working out an hour or so before you go to bed. You could also take a bath or read a book – whatever will help you relax and keep to your normal bed time as much as possible.

Although self-isolation is difficult, it is the best thing right now to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Use the tips above and keep your day running as normally as you can!

How have you been adjusting to self-isolation? What do you do to keep yourself from getting cabin fever? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar11

Don’t Be That Dog Owner

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Don’t Be That Dog Owner

If you pay attention to the news of animal-loving organizations such as The Dodo or your local animal shelter, you’re probably aware that some dogs have a hard time with terrible owners. Abandoned, malnourished, chained all day long in the garden, this is not what a dog’s life should be about. Thankfully, the world is full of caring people who go the extra length to bring joy and love into the lives of these dogs. 

As a dog lover, you know that you’ll never be the owner who neglects their pup. You love dogs, and that’s why yours gets plenty of food, a warm shelter, and regular walks. But, before you praise yourself for being the best dog owner in the country, you might want to check that you are, indeed, doing everything right. Sometimes, when we try to do the right thing, we end up doing our pets more harm than good. Don’t be the dog owner who unknowingly puts their pet at risk. 

Don’t let your dog be depressed:

You’ve got long days at work. So, to make sure your beloved Rex doesn’t feel bored or lonely, you’ve bought him a few toys. Here’s the thing, though. Your dog, just like you, needs to socialize to be happy. If you don’t take the time to play with your dog in the evening or to let him play with other dogs, you may be endangering Rex’s mental health. Did you know that dogs that don’t receive enough attention can get depressed? So, also consider how you could fulfill your dog’s social needs day after day. We get it: After a long and hectic day, all you want is to sit on the sofa and chill. But spending quality time with Rex can go a long way! 

Don’t leave your dog unprotected:

Rex doesn’t like fences. He can’t see what’s going on. 

You may not want to block your dog’s view, but you can’t leave Rex in an open garden. Your pup is likely to run away. If you don’t want to spend countless hours every day looking for your dog, you need to put fences up. Additionally, running into a foreign neighborhood could confuse or scare your pet. Cities are loud and filled with terrifying vehicles. A panicked dog could run amok, get injured, or even hurt someone. You don’t need your neighbor to complain about getting bitten by a dog, especially when it’s yours. Scared dogs can become aggressive because they believe they are under attack. 

It’s never just a little snack:

Sharing your snacks with your dog is the most natural thing. As a pet owner, you want to let your dog have something nice too. However, your sweet attention may be affecting your pet’s health. Treats should not become a symbol of your love. Too many dog owners are facilitating obesity when they only hope to be kind to their pups. Make sure to control portion sizes and to choose healthy snack options. 

Dog lovers are often guilty of putting their pets at risk without noticing it. Because you want the best for your pup, you can make the wrong decisions with dramatic consequences. The golden rule, when you are responsible for your pet’s health, is to ask yourself how your choices affect Rex’s mental and physical well being. 

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar11

Pampering Party: My Perfect Night Off

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Pampering Party: My Perfect Night Off

Hellooo! I lead a pretty busy life. Between running two businesses, my boyfriend, and going here, there, and everywhere for work it’s important to me to still make time to take care of myself. That’s why, without fail, I always look forward to my Tuesday nights. Of course, I don’t love not seeing my MAN but I never say no to an opportunity to soak in the tub!

Tuesday is my busiest day of my already busy week. I see three out of my four clients and am normally gone for anywhere between ten to twelve hours. So, trust and believe that as soon as I come tiredly stumbling into my apartment around eight in the evening that bath water is on within thirty seconds. And, the best part?! I got a new hot water tank in my apartment so no more lukewarm baths for me. 😀

This past week, I got to enjoy my first bath in a month of Sundays that didn’t turn into ice water five minutes later. It. Was. Magnificent. During my soak, I am able to shave, decompress, and get myself relaxed enough for sleep after a long day of going nonstop. And, then, I put on some lotion, dress in my comfiest pajamas, and tuck in with a good book or Netflix show before bed.

Although this is a pretty basic way to spend an evening, there is seriously nothing better to me. I love being able to do something nice for myself after doing for others all day and it just hits the spot every time. Working in an evening just for me is one of the best things that I can do for myself and I encourage all of you to try and do the same!

What is your perfect night off like? How do you pamper yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar7

Taking Some “Me” Time

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Taking Some “Me” Time

Hello! As an owner of two businesses, it almost seems impossible to hunker down during a work day for some “me” time. Especially considering that when I don’t work, I don’t get paid. I can count on five fingers the amount of times I have cancelled with my clients that wasn’t due to my oral surgery mishap or the car accident that happened this past year. So, yeah, I’ve been feeling pretty burnt out!

This past week was a rough one for me. My stomach was nauseous, I was on my period, and I just felt so fatigued. Then, on Wednesday night, I had a lot of my tattoos touched up which wore me out even more. Come Thursday morning, I got up around six and felt so lightheaded and weak that I grabbed my phone, cancelled all of my clients and plans for the day, and went back to bed. I ended up waking up at 10:30! It was beautiful. :*)

By the time I woke up and was feeling much better, I was kicking myself in the ass for not going to work and debated on heading over to my afternoon client’s house. But, after realizing that I probably would have left shortly after arriving there, I decided to just stay home and relax.

During my day off, I was able to clean my apartment, work on hanging pictures for my accent wall, and watch at least five episodes of America’s Next Top Model before my boyfriend came home from work. It was great! In fact, it made me wonder why I don’t have days like that more often and then I remembered it’s because I wouldn’t get paid! Lol, whomp whomp.

I didn’t really realize just how exhausted I was until I had my me day and it taught me a lesson in listening to what my body needs and being more accommodating to that. Calling off of work definitely will not be a regular thing for me, but scheduling a random day off for myself every now and then is going to be on the agenda and I am already thanking myself for it in advance!

How do you take time for you? How do you relax after a long day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah