3 steps to feeling calmer in stressful and anxious times that may surprise you

Feel calmer during stressful and anxious times, naturally

Dealing with fear, anxiety and overwhelm is a daily reality for many, during these unprecedented times of the coronavirus pandemic.

Never before has it been more important to look after our emotional health, as the things we took for granted - our health, income and freedom - come under question.

So how can we get through times of uncertainty and stress, with more resilience and calm?

Some may call it having healthy ways to cope. I think of it as a ‘self care toolbox’ - ways of thinking, and simple tools and habits that can help us get through each day.

We can’t control our outer world but we ALWAYS have a choice how we respond.

Here are three steps to help shift your perspective, ease stress, and feel more in control over the coming months. It may seem a little off topic from my usual posts – but it’s very much connected to my passion for healthy homes and family wellness overall.

1.      Relax your expectations

Are you expecting yourself to just carry on as usual, and do what you usually do? Please stop now!

Life has changed – and by expecting ourselves to do the same as we’ve always done, we’re just creating extra stress and anxiety.  

Relax the reins, be kind to yourself and decide what’s negotiable and non-negotiable.

Personally, my usual rules about what I need to ‘get done’ are being stripped back to what’s most important.

For me, that means time with the kids. Fun family time daily. Happy movement and play. Nourishing foods. Positive fuel for the mind. Tuning inwards.

What’s less important?

My long to-do list. My need for a tidy home. My usually rigid routine of a morning solo run and me-time. Yep, my Virgo overachieving self is being taught some valuable lessons right now about flexibility and slowing down!

I’m being more realistic and aiming for just one important task a day – anything extra is a bonus. Creating a new flexible routine that will work for the whole family, and allow for interruptions and spontaneity is key!

Could this be a time for you to do the same? Could you take the pressure off yourself - and loosen your expectations? What can you let go of? Because let’s face it - many of us are in survival mode doing the best we can.  

What else can you do to make life easier right now? Perhaps take extra leave? Make the most of audio books or virtual lessons if you’re homeschooling? Let go of your usual rules about screentime?

2. Look for the silver lining

In times of darkness, we can always choose to look for the lessons, and count our blessings. OK, yes it’s a cliche - but for good reason. Don’t get me wrong - these are challenging times to say the least. We’re allowed to feel deflated, anxious, fearful or whatever we’re going through.  

But as the Dalai Lama once said ‘pain is inevitable, suffering is optional’. Acceptance and letting go of what we can’t control will help us move through this time with more ease, and less struggle.

So what could be the silver lining for you? Become aware of your thoughts - and see if you can flip it to a more positive point of view.

I’m choosing to focus on the positives of more time at home - and gratitude for what we DO have, rather than what we don’t.

Remember all those things you’ve always wanting to get around to but you ‘have no time’?

That online course you’ve always wanted to do, that novel you never get to read, or those cluttered cupboards you’ve been meaning to sort. Now is the time, friends!

Or maybe you’re a do-er like me, and want to relax to reins and focus on more fun and just be-ing rather than do-ing. What better time than to watch funny movies with the fam, bake with the kids, have family dance offs, be present and still, play çard games and start a meditation practice?  

We all have so many blessings – we just need to look for them. Send some gratitude to loved ones, appreciate the safety of your home and basic creature comforts we normally take for granted.

It’s times like this that there can be so much to be thankful for in the simplest of things.  

3. Instant calm with aromatherapy

Did you know anxiety and stress weaken our immune system? Our body’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced, leaving us more susceptible to infections.

It’s now CRITICAL to find ways to calm our nervous system and soothe our anxious minds.

So let me share my instant calming technique, using aromatherapy - the ‘30 second stress solution’ to transform how you feel when you’re stressed.

It takes just 30 seconds, is super simple yet so powerful in how it affects your mood, clarity, energy and stress hormones.

You can do  this anywhere, anytime and all you need is a drop of essential oil.

Here’s how it works.

Pop a drop of essential oil into the palm of your hands.

Rub them together gently. Cup your hands over your mouth and nose.

Inhale in a long slow deep breath to count of 3. Hold for a second. Exhale to the count of three.

Repeat three times.

Notice how you feel now.

Calmer. More grounded and centered. Back in control so you can cope better with the rest of your day.

How does this help? Inhaling essential oils is one of the fastest ways to shift our emotional state. When we smell essential oils, the molecules interact with the olfactory organs (sense of smell), respiratory system and the brain.

During inhalation, the molecules affect the brain through the amygdala gland and limbic system, commonly referred to as the 'emotional brain'. The limbic system links to the parts of the brain that control stress levels, memory, heart rate, blood pressure and hormone balance. 

I encourage you to do this regularly during the day for a mental pick me up – whether you need calming, a mood boost or to ease overwhelm. It’s a regular habit in our household!

Including this simple powerful ritual into your daily life will serve you well during this time and beyond.

Just make sure you’re using the highest quality oils (Certified Pure Tested Grade) for safety and results.

Need oils at discounted pricing? Click here to view the Starter Kits (I recommend the Emotional Aromatherapy Kit!) or contact me to customise something for your needs and budget. Want to learn more first? Grab a free Cheat Sheet Stress, Sleep + Self Care or join my Facebook community to learn more!