11 Ways to De-Stress and Re-Center

I don’t know about you, but my anxiety has been reaching new heights this week. Part of it is dealing with an ill pup, part because I haven’t meditated in a week, part is the shake-up and uncertainty of business with COVID-19 right now, and the other part of me thinks my empathic side is just picking up everyone else’s fear around me.

But I have hope! I know this is only temporary and we will get through it. And maybe we will make some really great changes in our lives and businesses along the way!

Until then, it’s paramount that we keep our immune systems healthy and our minds and hearts calm. So I’m layering in heart-centered activities and tools anywhere I can to try to beat the stress!

Think of these as ‘Acts of Devotion’ for yourself and your sweet body — ways to bring yourself present, quiet your mind, and nourish your body and spirit. Bringing intention to it makes the relaxation and enjoyment that much deeper.

My 11 favorite ways to Ground, Center, & De-Stress:

1. Take a Bath – Warm water is so comforting and soothing. I like to splash it up over my heart and imagine all my anxiety washing away with it. It really tickles my heart chakra!

Magical bath additives include: herbal teas, essential oils, epsom salts, flower petals (great use for dying flowers), oatmeal, milk, bath salts, bath bombs, and bath oils.

2. Meditate – For my own practice I like to meditate for an hour first thing in the morning — that is when my mind is clearest and it also sets my heart and mind up for the day. If you’re new to meditating, try just 10 minutes!

Additionally, it’s also really effective to meditate in the evening if any anxiety does bubble up. For this, sit in silence and observe your bodily sensations and your mind. Observe any anxiety you may be sensing without judgement. Breathe and continue to feel your body and breath until your mind calms. Sit in the calmness and keep returning to your breath

Even 5 minutes of this can really help calm your whole system down. And I find it works so well I often stay longer! This is much better for calming anxiety than reaching for your phone (which I am also guilty of).

3. Physically Grounding – Creating unusual sensations in your feet is a great way to pull you out of your mind and back into your body. As you try one, put your attention on your feet and notice the different sensations.

Options:

• Take off your shoes and socks and stand in the grass (wet is my favorite. Bonus points if you’re gazing up at the moon).
• Give yourself a foot massage with some nice smelling essential oils or lotion.
• Soak your feet in warm water – you can add oatmeal or milk for a moisturizing effect.

4. Fresh Flowers – I have become addicted! Since I began working part time at a flower shop years ago I have become very accustomed to having fresh fleurs brightening up my home at all times. It really adds a layer of beauty, inspiration, cheer, and life to an otherwise dreary space. I personally like to keep an arrangement on my living room table and a tiny one on my nightstand to wake up to beauty.

If you’re in Thurston County, it would be great if you’d support the cute little flower shop I work at and love so dearly: www.fleurae.com

5. Scents – Oils, Candles, Mists, Insence. Grounding and calming essential oils for this time are earthy, warm, and some of my favorite smells! (I am a vatta dosha, which is the air element, so I’m naturally just drawn to these anyways).

My Favorite Grounding Oils Include: Cedar, Patchouli, Lavender, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Ylang-Ylang, Sage, Palo Santo, Pine, Cinnamon, Clove, and Rose.

6. Get Crafty – Sew, crochet, knit, collage, paint, draw, felt wool, take a macrame class – work on a new hobby or project to get those creative juices flowing and bring joy back into your life! The concentration required can often overwrite your anxious thoughts. Pinterest is a great place for inspiration!

7. Do a Puzzle – Puzzles are great because while you’re searching for the next piece, it’s really hard to think about anything else! This is a very useful activity for giving your mind a break.

8. Phone Distancing ;) – I don’t know about you but I have been on my phone a LOT the last week checking in with others and following what’s happening in the world and my community. On the one hand it’s really empowering to see us all coming together, but on the other hand when I’m off my phone I can feel my brain ping-ponging around.

Yesterday I kept myself off social media until 5pm and only let myself be on for one hour. It helped me stay much more grounded throughout the day and lowered my anxiety considerably. Probably one of the best things you can try!

9. Flower Essences – Different than essential oils, flower essences are odorless and made by infusing the plant’s energies into spring water. They are taken as drops under the tongue or in water and even misted or dropped onto your skin. If you are sensitive to energy you will feel an immediate shift. You can find them at vitamin stores, co-ops, and herb shops.

Here’s my favorites FLOWER ESSENCES right now:

• GORSE instills hope
• CERATO if you’re empathic like me and absorbing everyone’s panic around you
• ROCKROSE for courage and presence of mind in the face of fear
• CLEMATIS helps you live in the present instead of the future or past
• MIMULUS brings courage and calm to face things that frighten or worry you

10. Journaling – Journaling is a great way to get any anxieties out of your mind that keep bouncing around in there. I find it helps me move from anxiety and worry into action. It’s also a great place to vent if the quarantine is putting stress on your home relationships.

11. Get in Nature – Clear your thoughts, get fresh air and sunshine. Even just a walk around the neighborhood can make your worries seem smaller. Observe the beauty of the trees, a pond, birds flying over head, feel the sun and wind on your face and your feet on the ground — Reconnect to the natural rhythm of things and know that things will be okay. You will be okay.

Take care of yourself and be sure to ask those around you how they are caring for themselves as well! We are all in this together!

Tell me, which of these calls to you? Are there any other things you do to ground or help with anxiety that I haven’t mentioned?

Please share this with anyone who could use some de-stressing tools!

All my love,