Simple Steps to Help Decrease Anxiety and Stress

Stress can be overwhelming, and with the pace of modern life, it's no wonder so many of us feel on edge. Between work, family, finances, the constant ping of our phones and a never-ending news cycle, many of us are running on empty. Somewhere along the way, being "always on" became normal, and we rarely stop long enough to get our bearings.

Most of our days are filled with to-do lists, school pickups, deadlines and screens, yet many people tell us they feel more disconnected than ever. Most days bring a mix of anxiety, overwhelm, guilt, gratitude, and frustration. Energy comes and goes, and many people ask us, "I'm sleeping, so why am I still so tired?" Constant stress is exhausting. We have had people tell us that they don't have the energy to take basic care of themselves right now. Making a healthy meal, getting to bed on time or even taking the supplements already sitting on the counter can feel like one thing too many.

Our message to you is this: let's all take a big breath, give ourselves a break, and accept that it's ok not to have it all together. You don't have to do everything, and you don't have to do it perfectly.

Our hope is to offer a beacon and some suggestions to help keep you moving in a positive direction. Sometimes a positive direction is Netflix and a bathrobe. It's all ok. We are truly in this together, and here at Health For Life, we are happy to help you find your way back to feeling like yourself.

Let’s start with the basics:

• Break out a writing book to be a daily guide, schedule, reminders, inspiration, accounting, to do list, ideas, goals, journal of events.

  • Write some headings on a few pages: My Nutritional Goals.  My Household Goals.  My Exercise Goals. My Fun Goals.  My Work Goals. And anything else that comes to your mind.  Have a page dedicated for each person in your house and ask them what their goals are using some of your headings as a guide.

• Before bed each night, make a rough plan in your book for the events and meals for the next day.  In the morning make a specific plan for food prep and time of eating. Follow a schedule, it can be ridged or flexible, but the schedule will give you something to look forward to and help bring some normalcy back into your life.

• Take the time to deep breath.  Studies have shown that deep breathing not only reduces your heart rate but also lowers anxiety.  One method to follow is to take a deep inhale through your nose (or mouth if needed) allowing your belly to rise for a count of 4. Then hold the breath for a count of 4 and then exhaling for a count of 6.  You should feel less tense and more grounded after only 10 deep breaths.

• Start taking your nutritional supplements and make sure you have a good idea of how to use them daily.  Each morning set out the supplements for yourself and the people in your household (partner, parent, children). You can place the supplements for each person in a small teacup or bowl.  And because this is about intention and good energy, take this time to think of these people you love and what your hopes and wishes are for them for this day.  It’s like a prayer and it can warm your heart.

• Delegate chores for household members and make them be known each day/week.

• Take turns picking a quote of the day and place it somewhere visible in the house, i.e. on your black board or on the fridge.  Even young kids can get into this. Be creative and have fun with this.

• Lastly turn off the news or at least turn it down. We are all for being in the know but during hectic times like these, the sheer amount of negative and anxiety inducing information is overwhelming. Avoid having your phone/ipad be the first and last thing you see before and after sleep.

• Be mindful of your thinking. Be cautious of letting your mind spin, spending too much time each day with circular thinking and worry.  Allow yourself time to name what is upsetting to you, perhaps write it down, or say it to yourself.  Then one by one, release the worries using imagery of letting the worries go away from you in clouds, balloons or being shelved in a box.  Try to stay in the present moment and focus on things that you can control as opposed to too much time spent on things we can not.

We hope these steps can help decrease your stress and anxiety. For more information, you can visit our website or email us. If you would like to book an on line appointment please contact us at Winterholme Wellness.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Kathleen Mercer, BSc, ND & Dr. Tanya O'Brien, BSc, ND