My current favourite go to’s for stress
Years ago an over enthusiastic mental health nurse insisted I set up a Stress Stop Kit, cue teenage esque eye rolling, bloody stupid name I was 30 not 12 but it stuck. Stress is part of everyday modern life, I don’t subscribe to the idea that all stress is a bad thing but how we learn to manage stress and it’s fallout is key to our wellbeing. The importance of grounding, anchoring and embodying have never more vital than they are today, I’m always adding to it and finding new things along the way but on a daily basis these are my go to tools for support in times of overload.
First is aromatherapy oils, at the first sign of just about anything, I will reach for an oil but especially for stress. Stress really goes for my sleep so I always keep a bottle of Dr Hauschka’s Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil, www.drhauschka.co.uk, handy and rub it on my arms and chest if I’m struggling to sleep. A little side note, I found this brand phenomenal at treating my adult acne too, a much gentler approach alongside diet and nutrition. I took a terrible reaction to acids and peels so I when I found this brand and an amazing facialist I really struck gold, it was a long way rather than a short cut but it worked.
Another stress busting aromatherapy product is the Tisserand Little Box of Mindfulness, available from the Tisserand store on www.amazon.co.uk. I have bought so many of these over the last few years, as presents, to sit in my car, at my desk and my daughter finds them really handing too, great for teenagers with exam stress I’ve found too.
If you find noise at night a problem and you have one of those brains like mine that gets irritated by the smallest noise but also fixated on it I recommend Owl Snooze Premium Foam Earplugs, again available on www.amazon.co.uk, you have to squish them about and work with them a bit to get comfy with them but they really help me get to sleep. I know there’s an issue with these around recycling but I have struggled to some of the more sustainable options to fit my ears, always on the look out for alternatives so will give you a shout if I find some.
Years ago I found Lesley Fightmaster on YouTube and really got into her style of yoga, Vinyasa flow with a hint of Hatha. Sadly Lesley passed away a few years ago but her legacy on www.youtube.com is still there and the website she create with her husband Duke is my go to for shorter practices I can do when the stress hits, www.myyogapal.com, the doors only open a few times a year to join so keep an eye out. But YouTube has hundreds of free classes you just need to find the teacher who works for you. I back that up with the Deliciously Ella app and website www.deliciouslyella.com full of bitesize yoga and meditation practice that are refreshingly easy to do at any time you feel you’re stepping on the mood rollercoaster, a real bargain at just under £50 for the year too.
Short walks can work wonders and I always follow the 10 minute rule, I’ll walk around my block for 10 minutes and if it feels too awful to continue I’ll go home but if it’s ok and I can deal with it I’ll do another 10 then another. While I’m walking I’ll try and notice as much as possible, right now the spring blossom is out so I’ll put my attention on that or if there are planes in the sky or birds in the park, anything that takes my focus out of myself.
Like a lot of people I discovered CBD oil in recent years and it has been a game changer, it’s improved my anxiety levels and helped with day to day stress. Obviously, it’s important you check with a medical professional before you take any new supplement, to make sure it’s safe for you to try it so please do that before jumping in. I like to try brands but right now I’m loving Hempwell 1500mg Full Spectrum CBD Peppermint Flavour available at www.hempwell.co.uk . What I like about this brand is the clear information and abundance of it too, they give you a comprehensive guide to dosing based on your weight and what strength of dose you want to achieve, they also give you a handy guide to building up your daily dose over a couple of weeks to allow the CBD to take full effect as I take it for chronic pain as well as stress I this has allowed me to feel the full benefits, I’ve just signed up to a 3 month subscription so will let you know how that goes but it’s already allowed me to cut my afternoon NSAID dose so I am hopeful it’s going to be a brilliant addition. If like me you suffer from chronic pain linked to inflammation I’ve just started on Kurk a new turmeric drink, www.kurk.life, it’s too early to tell what it’s doing but I am intrigued by the science and it’s a lot easier to take than some of the turmeric supplements I’ve tried in the past.
Lastly my Druid Craft Tarot Deck www.holisticshop.co.uk, if things are really bad and I know I need to take some time out then I will pick a card and meditate with it, asking it for wisdom and guidance and quite often calm too. I love the Queen and Princess of Cups in my deck for stress work but regardless of what deck you choose, the imagery and energy of specific tarot cards can bring you peace, don’t worry to much about choosing the ‘right’ one, spread your cards out face down and pick one that you are drawn to, if you know your deck and it knows you it will find the right card to match your energy and then sit with it for a while and see what comes up. Like any meditative exercise learn to sift the thoughts and try to hear beyond the thought loops, sometimes the calm of a card is all you need to bring you back into balance.