On New Year’s Eve, we all counted down the last few seconds of 2020 and yelled, “Jumanji,” thinking we’d all be free of the chaos of the year.
Nope. Didn’t work. Try again.
While the world is opening up, people are getting vaccinated, and life seems to be steering toward the normalcy we knew and loved, some of us are still going through some “thangs.”
Remember last year when I wrote about my marriage getting its second wind, how the pandemic saved my marriage?
I thought we were good, better, the best we’d been in a while, but that was short lived. By the end of 2020, we were struggling, and we had reached our breaking point. My husband and I filed for divorce in May. So, that’s where I am right now.
Between the heartache of untangling my life from my husband’s, juggling the strong emotions and sadness of our children, the death of our sweet pup, Hendrix, and suddenly having to move out of our home of the past four years, I AM STRESSED.
So stressed that I cry often and without warning. So stressed that I have gone full days without eating. So stressed that I feel faint sometimes, realizing that I’ve been holding my breath while dealing with the madness.
I can’t live like this. I can’t carry all this tension in my body. I can’t be angry and sad and fearful all day, every day. I can’t.
But what I can do is find ways to cope. And that’s what I’ve done. Here are my favorite stress relievers that are making an unbearable time in my life more bearable!
Long Walks
As Elle Woods from Legally Blonde says, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.”
Now hang on. Nowhere near considering shooting anyone. But I’ve felt like I was legit losing my mind over the past few months.
So working out and taking walks have been my saving grace.
My neighborhood has some amazing walking trails that you can easily get lost on, both confused about my location as well as in my own thoughts. I have had deep conversations with myself, sorting through my emotions, along those trails. Super secluded and quiet at night, but I never feel unsafe out there.
Terry Hershey Park is another place I like to go. Lots of beautiful trails covered by lush trees. And so many pleasant people. Always a friendly face around to greet me, briefly chat with me and remind me of how awesome people can be.
CBD
As a migraine sufferer, I have worked CBD into my daily routine to help keep my debilitating episodes at bay. But with my anxiety and stress on a severe uptick, CBD has been helpful in managing those as well. Five CBD has been a godsend. Gummies, oils, even CHOCOLATE, infused with full spectrum cannabinoids to help me calm down and breathe a bit easier.
Weighted Blanket
I know we’re creeping into the insanely hot summer months, and the idea of sleeping with a heavy blanket sounds wildly un-Houstonian. But I am almost always cold… and I could almost always use a hug.
I purchased a weighted blanket a few months back, and I can see why so many people have them. Mine really helps with my anxiety. I like to roll up like a human burrito, being squeezed by this boa constrictor of a blanket. Weird, I know, but it works for me. It makes me feel safe.
Cidercade
A friend of mine recently introduced me to Houston’s Cidercade, where delicious cider beers meet all the arcade games you could ever want to play!
When I tell you it was probably the most fun I’d had in years, I’m not exaggerating.
First of all, beer. Great beer! Ciders, of course, but there are also seltzers, kombucha and wine.
My favorite cider is The Cure. Cure for what? All my stress.
Then, games!!! The solid mix of classic games, shooting games, pinball machines and everything in between. I typically spend most of my visits playing basketball, Pac-Man, Frogger, any racing game and The Walking Dead!
$10 for unlimited play for the day or $15 for a monthly membership!
I have found my happy place.
Boxing
Yeah, I’ve been a little frustrated lately. My current circumstances are not at all what I envisioned for my life. Channeling that anger into a workout has been one of the best moves I could make.
I have a perfect punching bag to hit, kick and work out all my irritation. The base is full of water, so that sucker isn’t going anywhere!
I also get a lot out of my time with my favorite trainer/ sister-friend {I wish!}, Jeanette Jenkins. Follow her on Instagram! She will make you want to break sweat and like you can tackle anything! She has a ton of kickboxing workouts on YouTube. Although she doesn’t typical use a bag, you can definitely modify what she does and beat the bag down!
Love starting the day with a little rage boxing in my garage at 6 am when I’m feeling a little steamed.
Meditation
Whew. My head. The poor thing is spinning out of control and truly needs to recenter. Thanks to YouTube again, I can also sink into my exploration of inner peace.
My favorite YouTube channel for the perfect meditation music, Yellow Brick Cinema, is provides calming sounds to help me relax.
I spend about 20 mins a day listening to the channel, focusing inward, slowing my breathing and clearing my thoughts.
I’ve tried guided meditations, but I often get distracted by what’s being said that I struggle with my own journey. So this is the route that works best for me!
It’s Heaven! Until my kids try to barge in… but it’s fine, I’m fine, we’re all fine.
So, how do you handle your stress, mama?
Celebrate 4th of July in Houston
Holy Grail of Hair:: A Round Up of Must Haves
Surviving Summer When You’re a Bad Summer Mom
Pride Month:: Educating Myself and My Kids on Allyship
The Tenuous World of Tweens:: One Bad Apple Can Spoil the Bunch
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