Here are a few of my favorite things:
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Anyway! My for-real favorite coping strategies are:
4/7/8 breathing. Close your mouth and inhale through your nose quietly for a mental count of four. Hold your breath for a mental count of seven. Audibly exhale through your mouth for a count of eight. I like repeating this three or four times!
Zen meditation at our local zen center. Meditating can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase acceptance, decrease reactivity, and increase peacefulness!
Boxing. This can increase feelings of empowerment and self-confidence. Personally, I feel very happy afterward and tend to be able to decrease anti-depressants when boxing consistently.
Coloring. Coloring can help ease worrying thoughts and overthinking! When I am feeling overwhelmed, I love to sit down with a coloring book and listen to music or put on one of my favorite shows/movies!
Going for long walks in nature with no intended destination. I love going on walks because they allow me to clear my mind and release any tension or negative emotions that I am holding onto.
Doing something new or challenging. I am currently learning Spanish! Doing something new or challenging helps me get outside of my comfort zone!
For me, cutting out refined sugar and simple carbs can decrease my inflammation, increase my energy, and increase my mental energy! Overall, it helps me feel a lot better!
Here are some of my favorite items!
Boxing Gloves. These help me a lot when I am overwhelmed and need to get my stress/anxieties out. I am able to physically release my stress in an extremely healthy and productive way!
Anti-depressants. These can help me function so I can continue to do other things to take care of myself! Of course, these have to be prescribed by a doctor. If you think taking antidepressants could help you, book an appointment today!
Sun-lamp for seasonal affective disorder. Turning this on when it is dark and gloomy outside really lifts my mood. It feels like I have real sunlight in my bedroom! This can also be helpful when it is really cold outside because it allows you to experience sunlight from indoors!
Weighted blanket. This helps me feel comforted for a while! I love my 20 lb weighted blanket. I don't sleep with it all nights because it can get quite heavy but when I am feeling anxious, I love sitting or laying down with the blanket on me because of the comfort and security it gives me!
Coloring Books. As I mentioned above, I love coloring when I am feeling uncomfortable/negative emotions to help ease my mind! These coloring books, specifically, are amazing!
Biofeedback. This has helped train me to learn my body's stress responses and it has helped me relax! You can learn more about it here! Of course, results will be different for everyone but biofeedback can help a lot with understanding and learning about your body!
Here are some of my favorite books!
Attached. This book is about attachment and relationships! It teaches the reader about adult attachment styles and the natural human drive to have other human connections and attachments.
Body Keeps the Score. This book is written by a pioneering researcher who is an expert in traumatic stress. This book offers a new understanding of healing from traumatic stress by teaching the reader how trauma can rearrange the brain.
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents. This book is for those who grew up with an emotionally immature, unavailable, or selfish parent. Throughout the book, the reader will be able to uncover the different ways they are still suffering from pain and confusion from childhood in order to allow themselves to heal and free themselves from trauma and neglect.
If you are in search of more and feel it's time for therapy, schedule a free consultation today!