Ease Anxiety This Mental Health Awareness Week
We all deal with feelings of anxiety, stress and worry. From financial pressures, difficult relationships or even periods of heightened hormones, life can throw many challenges our way and having worried emotions and feelings is completely normal. But if you’re constantly running in a state of stress, life can quickly become exhausting and everything from your mood, sleep, appetite and physical wellbeing can become affected.
Each May marks Mental Health Awareness Week, and this year’s focus is specifically on anxiety. While looking after your Mental Health is important all year round, we’re taking this Mental Health Awareness Week as an opportunity to really step back and take stock, ensuring we’re taking the best care possible of both of body and our brain.
So if you’re struggling with feelings of overwhelm or anxiety, join us in taking five this Mental Health Awareness Week…
1/ Talk It Out
“A problem shared is a problem halved” might be one of the oldest idioms in the book but it really does help. Talking through your difficulties with another person – be it a friend, family member or counsellor allows you time and space to not only rationalise your thoughts and feelings but help gain a sense of perspective and clarity.
Pair with: De-Stress Candle
Whether you invite a friend over for a natter or simply FaceTime with a family member, create a calming haven of relaxation with this deeply relaxing candle. The calming concoction blends together Camomile, Frankincense & Petitgrain – helping you feel more at ease.
2/ Try Breathing Exercises
Box Breathing is a method of deep breathing that can help ease feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. It works to distract your mind, slow your breath and calm your nervous system.
Start by sitting somewhere comfortably and close your eyes. Breathe in for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of four and then exhale for a count of four. Repeat for a couple of minutes to help ease feelings of anxiety and focus your mind solely on your breath.
Pair with: De-Stress Mind Roller Ball
Apply this calming blend of Chamomile, Frankincense and Petitgrain to your wrists, temples and neck to help focus your mind and create a potent aura of peace.
3/ Prioritise Sleep
When we’re feeling stressed and our overactive mind won’t shut off, our ability to sleep can suffer. This lack of good quality rest can then further exacerbate anxious feelings and so the cycle continues.
Prioritising a good night’s sleep starts well before you step foot in your bedroom. Cut stimulants like caffeine and alcohol and limit your exposure to screens in the evening as the blue light can trigger our mind into thinking it’s still daytime. Instead, try listening to a podcast or music in the bath to help you unwind and switch off.
Pair with: Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil
Calm your racing mind with this soothing oil blend, specifically designed to aid in a blissful bedtime ritual. Packed with key essential oils known to facilitate sleep, it will not only fill your bathroom with its dreamy scent but help quieten busy thoughts and prepare your mind, body and soul for a peaceful night’s sleep.
4/ Tackle The Day
Sometimes no amount of slowing down will help soothe feelings of stress and anxiety. If this is the case, you might be someone who needs to face the day head on, focusing your time and energy on tasks you’re able to tick off and feel a sense of achievement from. To burn off some of these moments of high adrenaline, try going for a brisk walk or jog, dancing around the house to loud music or singing in the shower. Anything that helps you release energy before getting on with your day.
Pair with: Inner Strength Body Oil
Perfect for boosting confidence and fortitude, this luxurious blend of focusing frankincense, cardamom and clary sage helps to reignite motivation and build tenacity. Smooth over your skin to shield your body in an armour of inner strength.
5/ Try The 5.4.3.2.1 Method
When you’re stuck in a moment of anxiety, stress or panic, it can feel overwhelming. Try the 5.4.3.2.1 technique to help calm your mind and stop spiralling thoughts take over.
Name 5 things you can see around you – be it trees, people, your clothes or belongings.
Name 4 things you can feel – your feet on the ground, materials on your skin.
Name 3 things you can hear – from birds outside, distant music or your breath.
Name 2 things you can smell – the scent of your skin or the soothing notes in one of our calming blends.
Name 1 thing you can taste – this could be the after-taste from your last drink or meal.
This exercise helps to ground you in the present, encouraging you to focus on what’s happening around you rather than worrying about what could happen in the future.
Pair with: De-Stress Diffuser Oil
Pop a couple of drops onto a tissue or the bottle into The Atomiser and allow your room to fill with the calming scent of Petitgrain, Camomile and Frankincense.
