health

Five Ways to Relieve Anxiety

/ Emma Rose / Leave a comment

With COVID-19 invading pretty much every part of our lives these days, it’s hard not to feel anxious. From watching the 24-hour news cycle of doomsday headlines to the constant flux of quarantine orders, it’s clear what we’re experiencing now is far from normal.

But we have to remember that no matter how terrible we might feel in any given moment, if we choose to let go, transformation is possible. The key is learning how to trust ourselves again.

Uncertain of where to start?

Try these tips:

1. Move

Whether it’s getting up from your couch, taking a shower, or going for a walk, your body needs a physical reminder that it’s not stuck.

Think of a tiger moving towards its prey in slow motion. Now, replace the tiger with your terrifying thoughts on what could happen in the future, and you see what I mean. Stop focusing on the danger, and move on to something else. It’s really important to do this physically so your brain understands that a change is taking place.

So, practice some yoga poses. Do some jumping jacks.

Heck, why not even run around the house for a hot second?

2. Take a Deep Breath

Now that you’ve moved around, it’s time to take it easy. Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit, put your hand on your belly, and close your eyes. Slowly inhale, as you count up to 4 seconds (You should be able to feel your belly moving while you’re doing this). Then, hold your breath for 7 seconds. Finally, exhale for 8 complete seconds. 

Try to do this for at least five minutes every day. 

Believe me, your body and your brain will thank you.

3. Change Your Inner Dialogue

Inner dialogue, so to speak, are the things you tell yourself in your head. The voice that only you can hear.

So, when your brain is constantly being a debbie downer, spruce it up with a deep clean of positive, grateful tidbits. 

Think of this practice like a vacuum, sucking up all the cobwebs in your brain. 

And when all else fails, remember the words a wise therapist once said – “What you’re feeling is real, but it may not be true.”

4. Laugh

I learned the importance of this many moons ago when one of my boyfriends at the time saw me frantically reading a self-help book and pulled up a funny YouTube video on his phone for me to watch. 

“Hey, check this out,” he said with a smile. 

Guess what happened next? I laughed. It was like pouring a magical elixir on my thoughts – suddenly everything started to look a little rosier.

By doing this you’re consciously moving your brain to a lighter head space. And when your brain is in chill mode, your body will be, too.

5. Create

Have you ever started drawing or writing and suddenly forgot all the nagging things you were thinking about? 

There’s something pretty extraordinary about art and the very act of creation in itself. From dance, to music, painting, or even acting, there’s endless ways to express yourself.

In fact, studies show that after making pretty much anything, our cortisol levels are drastically reduced. 

What’s cortisol?

Well, it’s a harmful substance our body creates whenever it’s in a stressful situation. Too much of it can increase your blood pressure, decrease your sex drive, and even give you type 2 diabetes if it’s not kept in check.

So, pull out that easel board and conjure up your inner Rembrant. Find that guitar you buried under the bed and make some tunes. Write the novel you keep putting off. Dance your heart out to some of your favorite tunes.

Don’t worry about making the next masterpiece. Just do it.  

Remember, anxiety is something that can only be tackled on a day-to-day basis. Healing takes time. Every step forward, no matter how small, is always a win. 

Trust me, you got this. 

Six Tips for a Sharp Memory

/ Emma Rose / Leave a comment

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What our brains lack in size, they make up for in substance. We have a sort of hard drive in that three pound noggin of ours that puts even the most high tech robots to shame. Why? Because our brains are capable of holding the same amount of memory that it takes for the internet operate – 1 million megabytes to be exact. If your mind isn’t blown away yet, wait ‘til you hear this – our brains actually start forming memories when we’re still in the womb!

Needless to say, memory is important, as it helps us lead long and fulfilling lives. So, if you’re wondering how you can make sure your memory is in tip-top shape, check out this handy, little list I put together:

  1. USE IT OR LOSE IT

Like anything else, our brains work better when they’re stimulated. Not using it is like leaving your car in 6 feet of snow all winter, and expecting it to run as good as new afterwards. So, start using that magnificent brain of yours! Get in the habit of doing puzzles. Quiz yourself with some trivia on your favorite hobby. Take a class on the weekends. Forget autocorrect and spell it yourself. Think of your brain like a muscle – the more you use it, the better it works.

  1. WORK THOSE MUSCLES

Speaking of stimulation – exercise! Ride your bike to work. Take that spinning class you’ve always been tempted to join. Go for a walk with your dog. Start taking swimming lessons. Any activity that bolsters your heart to work a little faster ends up pumping more oxygen into your brain. Even better, exercise helps your brain create new neuron connections. Neurons are basically what connects your brain to your body – the messengers, per say. So, hop on that treadmill and give your brain the best you’ve got!

  1. SLEEP LIKE A BABY

Getting a good chunk of zzz’s every night is just as important for adults as it is for kids. Naptime, anyone? Believe it or not, our brains actually work harder when they’re sleeping. They use that down time to clean out all the junk we’ve collected throughout the day. So, treat yourself and go to bed just a little earlier. Fluff up the sheets and relax. You’ll thank me, later.

  1. STAY SOCIAL

Research has shown that our brains can’t survive off loneliness.  We need a daily dose of interaction with other humans to survive. And yes, that includes all the introverts of the world, as well. A study from Harvard found that people who have the busiest social lives also have the best memory. Coincidence? I think not.

  1. DE-STRESS YOUR LIFE

You only live once, so you might as well make it a happy one. Chronic stress is poison for your brain – it literally kills brain cells and wrecks the hippocampus, where memories in the brain are formed. Do some spring cleaning this season, and toss out anything in your life that causes you long term stress. Burnt out from your job? Find a new one. Crying all the time from someone’s unrealistic demands? Give them your best “Hasta la vista, baby!,” Arnold Schwarzenegger impression and get the hell out of there. Believe me, your brain will thank you.

  1. EAT HEALTHY

It sounds simple, but in this day-in-age, when fast food and junk food run a-plenty, eating healthy isn’t always easy. But you know what? It’s worth it. You wouldn’t want to fly on a plane that was low on fuel, so don’t let your brain run on empty, either.
It’s always better to get your nutrients straight from the source, so hit up that local produce stand you’ve been eyeing on the weekends, or start a garden of your own. Who knows? You could just find a new hobby.

CONCLUSION

I don’t know about you guys, but I want to feel just as good at 60 years old, as I did when I was 16. And if getting older has taught me anything, it’s this – take nothing for granted. So, up your self-care rituals up a notch and take care of your body and your brain. Because life, my friends, is meant to be lived to its fullest.