Tag Archives: mind

Mar25

*Trying* To Take It Easy

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*Trying* To Take It Easy

Hello!! The irony has not been lost on me that the past two times that I had any time off from work were spent being sick. I spent my week long holiday break this winter with RSV and had another week off due to a nasty virus at the beginning of the month. It was a huge bummer to be sick over the holidays, but I’d be a liar if I said it wasn’t awesome having some time off this second time around! As someone who has been self employed for almost a decade, it is incredibly difficult for me to justify time off – even if it is for fun things like vacations. However, after enjoying being sick more than I probably should have, I realized that I really do need to make an effort to *try* to take it easier. So, I have been doing the following:

Sleeping In:

I have always been adamant about waking up as soon as my alarm goes off because I need my jam packed days to run like clockwork. This proved to be very hard after a whole week of getting up sans alarm, though. After my sick spell, I have given myself permission to hit the snooze or even sleep for another extra hour. And guess what? My days still are going without a hitch and I feel much more well rested too. This isn’t an every day thing, but I have been taking advantage of getting some extra shut eye on the days where I have a bit more wiggle room. I have noticed a huge difference in my energy levels and will absolutely continue with this!

Face Masks:

One of my sick day rituals was using face masks so I could feel some semblance of pampered while I was a gross, sweaty mess lol. This is another thing that I have been sticking with and I have enjoyed a weekly face mask since the beginning of March. I tend to do this as soon as I get home one day during the week and even though it’s only a twenty minute process, I see its merits. Rather than diving into the next thing I have to do (computer work, cooking dinner, cleaning), I am able to take those twenty minutes to recharge and continue going about my day. This is a win/win because I love doing skin care and I feel like it gives me a second wind until bedtime. It’s amazing what taking twenty minutes for you out of your day can do!

Making Plans:

I can’t tell you the amount of weekends I have spent doing literally nothing because I am too tired. Then, I would go about the work week feeling disappointed that Johnny and I didn’t do anything fun at all. While we still have our lazy weekends, we have both been making an effort to do more and have a good time during our time off. Within this past month alone, we have reincorporated date nights and I have tried my best to make plans (and keep them) with my friends. For a long while, I was going through the motions of the work week without much to look forward to once the weekend rolls around. Now, Johnny and I have been adding at least one fun outing to our weekend and it has been fantastic. On Mondays, I feel happy with the hang outs we’ve had and am eager to see what we’ll do the following weekend.

I have been on the grindset mindset for so long and, although these seem like small changes, they are huge to me. I plan on continuing with all of these improvements and adding new ways to make things easier for myself when I feel like I need it. I already notice a difference!

How do you take time for yourself? What are some improvements that you have made recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec28

Hobbies That Are Guaranteed To Beat Stress

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Hobbies That Are Guaranteed To Beat Stress

Stress is a normal part of life, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be doing things to help to let it go. We need to have healthy methods for coping with anxiety and stress. One of the best ways to do this is to have a hobby. Whether you are crafting with friends or you are choosing to go to the movies, you need a hobby that’s going to make you feel happy. Let’s take a look at the hobbies that are guaranteed to beat your stress for a healthier lifestyle:

Start a collection:

One of the hobbies, as old as time itself, is collecting. When most people think of a collection, they envision someone collecting expensive antiques. But it doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, you could start a very simple collection, especially if you love to travel. You could pick up a key ring at every city you visit and eventually build up a whole world’s worth of key rings on a pegboard. It doesn’t matter what you choose to collect but pick something that you’re passionate and excited about.

Do more with music:

Whether you’re playing an instrument or just listening to more music, it is one of the best hobbies that is going to guarantee that your stress will be beaten. You can pop on some noise canceling headphones and let your favorite songs play through them or you could decide to start some lessons so that you can learn how to play an instrument. There is plenty of music in the world that’s just waiting for you to pay attention to it!

Work on puzzles:

An amazing way to unwind is to start puzzling. Even if you haven’t put together a puzzle in years, you’ll find that working through the challenge of one can be incredibly relaxing. Playing by yourself is a good way to enjoy some solo downtime, but you can grab a friend to do the puzzle with you and still have just as much fun. The best part is, there are so many beautiful puzzles out there and when you’re done, you can either frame them for your house or box them back up again to enjoy another time.

hobby2

^^^ Pexels Image

Start baking:

Whether you like to bake cakes or biscuits, it doesn’t really matter. Baking is an amazing way for you to beat your stress. You’ll be able to have easy access to delicious treats, but you’ll be able to watch the pile of ingredients become something beautiful. You can decide to sell them and make a business out of it, or you can just continue to bake at home for your own fun.

Work with your hands:

Sometimes, putting your hands to work can make a massive difference. Whether you are rebuilding a car or you are crafting, you’ll find that your mental health improves when you can put your mind and concentration into something amazing. Building something from the ground up is a huge achievement and it helps to promote patience at the same time!

Learn a new language:

It doesn’t matter whether you only know one language right now, you can still Learn a new language. Everybody has the capacity to learn something new. So start with the basic vocabulary and take your time to understand the history and the culture behind each language you choose to learn.

Not only is having a hobby great fun, but it is a wonderful stress reliever. Try any of the above and shake that stress away!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov5

Sleeping Good, Feeling Great

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Sleeping Good, Feeling Great

Hello!! I have had a few appointments with my new therapist and it has been most helpful! She is seriously the best and is so much fun to talk to – it’s almost like I’m venting to a friend and I really like that. I have noticed a significant difference in my mood already just by being able to vocalize some of the things that have been weighing on my mind. Another big change that I made other than therapy is finding someone new to handle my medication management and that has been a HUGE success!

Prior to the new person I have been going to for med management, I was just seeing a general practitioner. He was fine, but our appointments literally only lasted like two minutes and it was expensive as all get out. So, I decided to make an appointment with a nurse practitioner who works in the same office as my therapist. My only regret? That I didn’t do it sooner because she is awesome and prescribed me a new medication that has seriously changed my life.

This past summer, I was diagnosed with PTSD. I have always suffered from night terrors, but it was getting to be SO extreme. There was a point when I was only having a handful of night terrors per week and it turned into an every single night affair. For months, I was waking up every night screaming and it was horrible for both me and Johnny. It was so hard to fall back asleep after I jarred us awake from screaming bloody murder and we were going through life exhausted.

I had no idea that there was a medication that could help with my night terrors, so I never brought it up. You could have knocked me over with a feather when my nurse practitioner told me that there was something that she could prescribe! Since taking this new medication, I have not had one single night terror. None. Nada. Zip. Zero. I don’t think I realized how sleep deprived I was until I was actually getting a good night’s sleep for the first time in months.

Now that I am sleeping better, I feel energized, my mood has improved, and my work days don’t feel anywhere near as daunting. Normally, I would be too fatigued by the time the weekend rolled around to do anything. Now, Johnny and I have had outings with friends, family, and ourselves every weekend. It’s fun! I feel more like myself than I have in months and I am so thankful that I am finally sleeping through the night. The power of being well rested is a real thing!

If you feel like you are struggling, I can’t encourage you enough to seek help. It might feel scary, but you are going to feel so much better and I am proof of that. I know you can do it! ❤

What is something that helps you sleep well? Do you dream a lot when you sleep? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct30

Reduce Your Stress In 5 Steps

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Reduce Your Stress In 5 Steps

In life, we all deal with stress for various reasons. However, we do not need to live life feeling stressed. We should live life feeling happy and calm. If you feel that you are overly stressed and do not know how to reduce it and regain your quality of life and happiness, follow these steps:

Consult a chiropractor:

Many people assume that a chiropractor can only help with back pain and neck aches. But they are capable of so much more. If you are feeling stressed out, they are a great person to talk to. You will be shocked at how much assistance they can provide. Reducing stress and improving your daily well-being can be achieved by making minor adjustments to your joints and muscles.

Strive for a harmonious work-life balance.

It is essential that you achieve a healthy work-life balance; otherwise, you can risk experiencing a lot of stress for no reason. For example, you are doing nothing but working if you are not taking enough breaks during the workday and taking your holidays. Taking pauses can help your mind clear and concentrate, keeping you composed and preventing unneeded tension.

Make every effort to enhance your work-life balance if you believe that your job is giving you a lot of stress. You will discover the mental and physical benefits of an exercise class after work, as well as the mental benefits of a ten minute break.

Breathe deeply and meditate:

Some people do not realize the amazing effects and benefits of managing stress through meditation and deep breathing techniques. People can stay calm and in the present moment by engaging in these mindful practices. All it takes to control your cortisol levels and ensure that you do not experience needless stress during the day is a few minutes of deep breathing or meditation each morning.

Cut down on screen time:

Cutting back on your screen time will be very beneficial for stress management and relief. The extent to which screen time can negatively impact your stress levels and mental health will astound you. You will undoubtedly feel more at ease and content when you go to bed and throughout the evening if you cut down on your screen time each night.

Get more rest:

When it comes to lowering your stress levels, one of the best things you can do is to get more sleep. Your body and mind may feel extremely stressed and exhausted if you are not getting enough sleep. Setting a daily goal of 7 to 9 hours is crucial. That is okay if you can not get this much sleep or if you need less. On the other hand, you will worsen your health and experience more stress if you do not prioritize getting enough sleep. You will undoubtedly feel more at ease and be able to sleep for a longer period of time if you go to bed earlier and put down your phone a few hours before.

These simple steps can be incorporated in your life immediately to help start reducing your stress!

Featured Image By: Leah Kelley

Oct16

How To Bring A Little Joy Into Your Life

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How To Bring A Little Joy Into Your Life

Many times in a person’s life they can find themselves feeling stuck in a rut, deflated, or that there is nothing positive happening. If you feel like this, then it could be for many reasons. One of which could simply be that you are not giving yourself the time you deserve to enjoy the possibilities that life is presenting you. So, whether it is cutting out negative habits, creating new and healthy ones, or simply allowing yourself time to relax, here are several ways in which you can bring a little joy into your life:

Limit your time on social media:

Social media is still a relatively new thing as far as human existence goes. Although it has brought about many new and exciting possibilities, it also has some fairly negative attributes associated with it. Many people can find themselves consuming social media for hours, and letting the days slip by without doing the important things that make them happy. When consuming a large amount of social media it can be hard to detach from what you are consuming, and many people find themselves constantly comparing their lives to those they see online. Both of these situations can impact your mental health in a negative way, and suck the joy out of your life. To combat this, you should consider limiting your time on social media, and instead give that free time to yourself. Even if you do nothing and simply relax, this is better than an all evening social media session.

Find something fun to do outside:

It is no secret that many people, whether they realize it or not, gain huge benefits and satisfaction by spending time outside. If you can couple that with doing a fun activity or having new experiences, then you will significantly increase the joy you experience in life. Whether you live by the sea or a lake and want to learn the basics about paddle boarding, or perhaps if you live near the woods and want to explore your local areas and find out about all the wildlife, consider getting yourself outside and doing something fun to live more fully.

Make time for your loved ones:

Humans are meant to be social creatures. Although it’s perfectly fine to spend time alone, often you will experience a larger amount of joy when spending time with loved ones. This could be anything from taking a vacation together, to simply eating regular meals together. As long as you are enjoying each other’s company is all that matters!

Treat yourself:

If you want to truly boost your happiness in life, you need to learn how to be your own best friend. Do you need to take a break? Take it. Do you want to have that treat? Have it. Do you want to do something different? Do it. Self-love is one of the best ways in which a person can bring a little extra joy into their life.

There are many other ways in which you can bring joy into your life, but why not consider these first?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct8

Therapy Success!

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Therapy Success!

Hello!! After a very unsuccessful first shot of therapy, I finally had an appointment with someone new this past Wednesday. And, I am pleased to report that it went awesome!! After canceling with the person who I was seeing, I had no plans of giving therapy another try. I felt really disappointed by how the session went because I didn’t feel heard whatsoever and it was hard for me to even set up an appointment in the first place. Thankfully, the receptionist encouraged me to give it another go with someone who she thought would be a better fit and she was completely right. It was a match made in therapy heaven!

During my introductory session with my new therapist, I felt really comfortable talking to her. She was pierced and tatted and I instantly liked that right away! I was also shocked to find that my last therapist wasn’t hearing me for real. My new therapist warned me that our session would be repetitive to questions already asked with the prior therapist and that was fine. I understood that she needed to confirm what was in the notes. However, MAJOR experiences in my life that are very important to my healing weren’t taken note of at all. This seemed so inappropriate to me because those appointments were not only a waste of my time, but it was went about in a way that I didn’t appreciate and it was confirmed.

Thankfully, not feeling heard wasn’t an issue at all with my new therapist. In fact, I felt better than I have in weeks after our session because I could tell she was truly interested in what I had to say. Like my first appointment with my old therapist, I made it clear that while I would like to learn new coping skills and get advice, I really needed my feelings validated and to talk about my trauma. My new one agreed 150% and my old one spent our appointments shoving halfhearted solutions down my throat. I am SO happy to know that I am going to get what I need during my next appointments and I feel great about the next steps going forward!

It’s true that you need to shop around for a therapist that works for you and this last session was a testament to that. I am proud of myself for trying again and so relieved to have found someone that I can do that with. 🙂

Have you ever had a bad therapy experience? What did you do about it? I honestly have half a mind to complain to the office about mine. I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct7

Lil Red & The Weird Weekend

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Lil Red & The Weird Weekend

Hello everyone! Before we begin this post about some weekend weirdness, I will be placing a trigger warning on it for mental health, being in the ER, and blood. Now, let’s get to it:

It has been a hard past year and change in Lil Red’s world and this past week has been the absolute pits. Like, it was really bad and I was and still am pretty down in the dumps. I had a horribly stressful day last Thursday and spent the following days being super depressed. Friday came and went and Saturday felt like a bit of an upswing because Johnny and I spent the whole day together. We played lots of Diablo IV, ordered Domino’s for dinner, and settled down on the floor with the bunnies to play some Magic The Gathering.

As we schemed for our next turn, nature called and I went to the bathroom. When I sat on the can, I was startled to see that my sleep pants were soaked in blood. This was strange because Aunt Flo wasn’t scheduled to come for another four or so days. I wasn’t experiencing any pain or cramping and while it was weird, Johnny and I decided that we would visit the ER if I was still bleeding on Sunday. I was and it was off to Akron General that morning.

Thankfully, we were able to get right into a room once we arrived at the ER and that would have definitely not been the case if we went on Saturday night. The doctor came in and asked me questions like “Are you pregnant?” HARD NO. “Did you experience any physical trauma?” Nope. “Did something stressful or upsetting happen?” HARD YES. With that information, the doc decided to do blood work and a pelvic exam to see what was up with my down low area.

The pelvic exam was a pain in my pelvis, but we were relieved to hear that nothing was visibly wrong. So, we waited for the test results from the labs and swabs that were taken. As Johnny and I waited with bated breath, there was nothing to do but watch some TV. I selected the Lifetime channel and while Johnny initially grumbled, I am pleased to say that he was riveted by the time the movie ended. Lol, he is such a doll. ❤

Shortly after our Lifetime flick wrapped up, the doctor returned to tell us that my blood work and swabs were normal. She informed us that my hormones got out of whack from the stressful event and it triggered abnormal bleeding. Afterwards, I was able to change and Johnny and I could head home. As we drove back, we made a pit stop at Taco Bell and reminisced on how weird and unfortunate the situation was. My mind was hurting so much that it translated into a bodily reaction. I suppose we could have figured that out without a trip to the ER, but something like that had never happened to me before and it was scary.

I am happy to say that I am feeling better now. Not great, but slightly below average and that’s a big improvement. This is your Lil Red Friendly Reminder to take care of yourselves because, apparently, stress and depression can manifest itself in lots of crazy ways!

Have you ever been to the ER before? What happened? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct2

Lil Red’s Guide To Setting Boundaries

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Lil Red’s Guide To Setting Boundaries

Hello my sweets! One thing that I have struggled with all of my life is setting boundaries for myself. Although I wasn’t a fan of the therapist who I was seeing, this is something that she encouraged and I agree. Living a boundary free life and being a constant yes man is only going to lead to your own demise. For me, this came in the form of massive burnout, poor mental health, and bottom of the barrel self worth and esteem. I am trying to be better at establishing boundaries and sticking to them and here is what I have been working on:

Learning To Say No:

Saying “no” is one of the hardest things for me – especially when someone needs my help. This saying is cliche, but it really is true – you can’t help others until you help yourself. One of the things that I need to work on is re-framing my thoughts because I can’t help but feel like a bad person when I say no. My mantra when I am getting in my feels about it is “You are not a bad person. You are a good person. Your boundaries are appropriate.” It is something that I am constantly reminding myself of and, with time, I am hopeful that my thought patterns will change.

Do What You Can:

My uncle gave me some advice that I really liked when discussing boundaries with him. He said what helps him is to say “Well, I can’t do this BUT I can do that”. I like this because it puts me in control of the situation and what I am willing to give. It’s also a nice reminder that I can’t do everything but I can do something and that is a comforting place to be. I will definitely be utilizing this pro tip and it feels good to have a technique that is so simple, but effective.

Have A Support Team:

My aunt and uncle have been an amazing support team for me and we talk on the phone frequently. When I told them that boundaries are something I’m making an effort to work on, they were so proud and it made me feel proud too. Setting boundaries can feel like a bad thing to me and it was uplifting to hear that it really is a great thing. Hearing my aunt say “you go, girl” when I was telling her about a text I sent was motivating because it let me know I am on the right track. When you are making a change in your life, you need people in your corner and I am so thankful I have that.

Hold Yourself Accountable:

Setting boundaries is a brand new thing to me and I understand that I need to hold myself accountable. In other words, I can’t just talk the talk but I need to walk the walk too. Wanting to change and actually changing are two completely different things. As I work on this new goal, I know that I need to keep myself in check. I can do this by checking in with my support squad and standing firm with my boundaries. And, yes, standing firm with these boundaries even if they are not respected. It will be hard, but no one ever said a big change is easy!

I am working really hard on myself and I am proud to be doing this for me. I try to be very honest with all of you about my mental health and, honestly, it has been hanging on by a thread. I am looking forward to feeling better and I can’t wait to meet my new therapist so we can work on boundary setting even more!

How do you set boundaries for yourself? What is something that you struggle with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep20

Going To Therapy Update

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Going To Therapy Update

Hello!!! Last month I announced that I was going to start therapy and I was really looking forward to it. I thought it would be most helpful after this extremely difficult past year to have a third party to talk to. Unfortunately, I did not care for the therapist that I was seeing after my second session. It just wasn’t a good match at all and that’s okay. Sometimes you have to shop around to find a therapist that works for you.

To be honest, I was kind of put off immediately during my first session with the person who I was seeing. The meeting was brief – barely over a half hour and I don’t think she fully listened to what it was that I wanted to get out of therapy. At twenty-nine years young, I know myself enough to know what it is I needed and that was simply someone to talk to and unload all of these pent up emotions. During our following session, it felt like the therapist wasn’t really getting it. Instead of hearing my saga, she assigned “homework” and offered solutions for statements that were beside the point.

It wasn’t that I minded hearing ways to overcome stress in the now, but I thought I made myself clear enough that the issue was, first and foremost, issues in the past. I felt really disappointed after our second session because I didn’t feel heard and that is the entire point of therapy!! I decided to cancel my upcoming appointment that was scheduled and didn’t plan on trying a different therapist out. However, the receptionist who I was speaking with encouraged me to give it one more chance with someone who might be a better match for me.

I begrudgingly accepted the new appointment for early next month and I am proud that I did. I also am very appreciative to the receptionist who nudged me forward in that direction. I told myself beforehand that I would wait a few months for another shot at therapy and I’m glad that I didn’t drag my feet. Now, I feel hopeful for my upcoming session and I know it will do me a world of good. What’s that old saying? If at first you don’t like your therapist, try, try a new one? Lol.

Although it is discouraging for a therapist to not be a good fit, it’s a normal thing. My initial instinct was to give up for now and that’s not going to help me one bit. If you are in a similar situation, try again! I am lucky that the receptionist said the same to me and this is me encouraging all of you! ❤

Did you have to shop around for a therapist that worked for you? Who do you like to talk to about your problems? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug25

Mental Health Day

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Mental Health Day

Hello!! This past Monday, I enjoyed my first mental health day in I don’t know how long. Granted, it wasn’t necessarily my choice but it still counts lol. This weekend, I was in a crazy freak accident – no one was hurt, but my car was so I was out of commission to get to work anyways. I would have loved to have had a mental health day under different circumstances, but I guess I’ll take what I can get? Haha and I used my time off well!

On Monday, I slept in until… SIX AM!!! It was great and definitely beats my normal wake up time around 4:30. Melvin and Penelope weren’t thrilled to have postponed their super early morning outing, but once I was up they got to hang out outside of their hutch almost all day. I also was able to get my car set up for its repairs because who knew auto body shops were closed on the weekend? Not me and it was a big relief to get all of that sorted. Also, I took my car to a mom and pop shop and the owner was just adorable. 🙂

Once I was home from my errands, I got to work doing lots of cleaning and that felt fantastic. When my life was really crazy, it was hard to find the time or energy to do a good deep cleaning of the apartment. I got to do that and more with my day off and I felt so accomplished and proud of my efforts. Maybe I needed this day for me more than I realized because I knew it would be nice to clean, but I didn’t appreciate how nice until I proudly surveyed a sparkling space.

After my chores were done, I completed the last item on my agenda which was finishing my Independent Provider annual training. Every year, we must do eight hours of additional online training to maintain our certification. I was on hour six of mine so I didn’t have too much left to do, but it was cool to not have to do it once I was home from work. I also don’t mind the online training at all because they’re always super interesting and it’s fun to learn something new!

Once all of my checklist for my day off was accounted for, I got to spend the rest of my afternoon FaceTiming with my bestie, Kate, of Live In The Nautical. It was the perfect way to end my Mental Health Day. If you are feeling like you need a day for you too, then I can’t encourage an MHD enough. We all need one from time to time and it’s important to listen to what your mind and body needs!

How do you like to spend a day off? When was your last mental health day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah