Let's start caring for your emotions!
Tune in and join me as I chat about how to understand and manage your emotions.
I'm an emotional health coach who helps high achieving women LOVE and leverage their emotions for greater success & fulfillment
Sharing is caring!
Hey friends! As someone with anxiety, being in quarantine can sometimes make it worse. So, I want to share with you some of the things that are helping me manage my anxiety right here. Here are my top 10 must haves for quarantine anxiety survival.
As you probably know, getting through quarantine is anything but easy. Especially when you already have anxiety.
Since I’ve been managing my anxiety for a while, I’ve tried a lot of different things to get through the difficult times.
Honestly, every little thing you can do to take care of yourself will help. So if you need ideas for how to manage your quarantine anxiety, I’ve got you covered.
First of all, if you’re staying home you’re probably not getting as much sunlight as your body needs.
Personally, I LOVE doing light therapy to help me get the amount of light my body needs to stay happy and healthy.
Honestly, my mood is noticeably improved when I sit in front of my Happy Light. I have a little more pep in my step and things just feel more hopeful when I sit use it.
Here’s a cool article from Harvard Medical about how and why this actually works!
And it doesn’t take much. Just 15 minutes is enough to give me a boost.
Usually, I’ll turn my light on while I have my breakfast and coffee. Then I don’t have to think about it for the rest of the day.
Also, since I suffer from seasonal depression, it also helps me all winter long. If you get the winter blues too, this is something you can use beyond the quarantine.
So, I’ll be completely honest. Right now I have 3 huge blankets on my bed. But since I live in Canada, the nights are still pretty cold right now. And what I love is all the weight on me! It actually helps me sleep better.
However, it’ll soon be time to have less blankets on me. So the next thing I’m going to buy will be a weighted blanket.
And this is the one I have my eye on. I’ll have to let you know how I like it!
Actually, having weight on you can help lower your heart rate and soothe your nervous system. Here’s an article where you can read more about the benefits of a weighted blanket.
So, if you’re having trouble sleeping right now because of quarantine stress- consider getting a weighted blanket!
Thirdly, I can’t say enough just how important my journal is for regulating my emotions.
Usually, I’ll write for about 15-20 minutes in the morning just to spill my thoughts out onto the paper.
Also, journaling has been found in multiple studies to support mental health.
Personally, I don’t put regulations on myself with journaling.
Typically, I just write whatever comes to mind. Even if I don’t finish the sentence or I jump around topics a lot.
My tip would be to just make it whatever you want for yourself! The easier the better.
Another thing- it’s actually really fun to look back at my old journals! Since I’ve been keeping one for about 10 years, I can go back and see how my emotional health has improved over time.
So, if you’re feeling out of control of things right now, I’d look into getting a journal!
Another thing I rely on for managing stress is flower essences.
In case you’ve never heard of them, flower essences have been a means of emotional support since the 1930s. A man named Dr. Edward Bach connected the use of certain flowers for treating specific emotional ailments.
You can read some research about it here.
So, one I’m using right now is Star of Bethlehem. Which is meant to help with grief, shock and fright. Meaning, if you’re experiencing those emotions then it should help.
All you do is put 4 drops of it in your water at morning and night.
Honestly, I’ve been using them for several years now. And while it’s not a HUGE night and day difference, I’m a firm believe that all the little things I do to take care of myself matter.
If you’re looking for an extra something to help you get through all the craziness that’s happening, flower essences can lend some support.
Since I’m a little more anxious than normal lately, sometimes it’s hard to fall asleep.
Honestly, I also stay up too late on my phone or watching TV (I’m only human I guess!). And those are the things that decrease your body’s natural melatonin production.
And when that happens, I like to take some melatonin to help my body relax.
Here’s one that I like! FYI, recommended dosage according to John Hopkins is max 3mg.
While I don’t like to rely on it for too many night’s in a row, it’s nice to take it once in a while. Also, it helps me relax knowing I have a little something natural I can take if I need help sleeping.
If you want to know more about melatonin and how to take it, here’s an article for you.
Another supplement I always take is fish oil.
Since it has a range of health benefits, I see it as an important support for my general health.
And some studies actually suggest that it can help improve mental health, including depression and anxiety.
Also, it’s been shown to support your immune system. Since that’s pretty critical at the moment, I’m making sure to take mine every day.
Honestly, there’s a part of me that really enjoys jumping rope. I think it’s the little girl inside of me who used to love doing it at recess.
So, even though it’s a tough workout, I like to focus on just having a good time with the challenge. It’s much more fun that way, I promise.
And moving your body is super important during quarantine. Even more so if you have anxiety!
Also, it’s been proven that exercise decreases symptoms of anxiety and depression. Actually, as little as 10 minutes can help!
Personally, I love having a jump rope at home.
First, it’s very affordable. You can get them for around $10. Here’s one similar to the one I have at home.
Also, it doesn’t take up much space in your house. That means you don’t have to worry about putting it away after every use. You can just keep it near wherever you sit most of the day.
Furthermore, you can just grab it and do it for a few minutes without having to commit to an entire workout.
When it comes to self care, every little bit helps. So, I’d recommend getting yourself a jump rope!
One of my favorite bedtime rituals is having a cup of tea while I relax with my husband on the couch.
And this rose tea has become my favorite tea of all time.
Actually, it was my godmother Mary who introduced it to me. So, I associate it with being nurtured and having a good laugh with her.
What I love about this tea is how flavorful it is! Also, you can usually get two cups of tea out of one teabag because it’s just that powerful.
Even my husband likes drinking it at night with me.
While it doesn’t necessarily have specific health benefits according to science, I love the relaxation that a good cup of tea brings me.
If you already have some tea at home, give yourself some love and relax with a warm cup in the evening. You deserve it.
Another one of my go-to’s for destressing is a nice warm bath. What makes it even better is if I have some magnesium bath salts sprinkled into it.
Since it’s generally accepted that magnesium can help you relax, taking an epsom salt bath can help you unwind during quarantine.
Personally, I enjoy the alone time I get in the bathtub. So, if you’re also in quarantine with other people, taking a bath can be your chance to get some me-time! And don’t forget the bath salts.
Finally, this blend of essential oil is one of my favorites for calm.
While I don’t love every single brand of essential oil, I do enjoy this one because it seems to have a higher quality than the ones you can get in the grocery store aisle.
One of my favorite ways to use it is in an essential oil diffuser.
But let’s be real. I also enjoy smelling the bottle directly and inhaling the beautiful smell lol.
However, a lot of people love lavender oil for relaxation. In fact, there are studies that say lavender does indeed promote relaxation.
So, if you need a little more relaxation in your quarantine- look to essential oils for it!
To wrap things up, I know that quarantine is a difficult time for everyone. Especially if you’re feeling more anxious or scared right now. If you do little things to take care of yourself, it will help you feel better. Just remember, take extra good care of yourself until the time that we’ll all be reunited with loved ones.
How are you taking care of yourself during quarantine? Tell me in the comments!
If what you read was helpful, pin it!