A few things I've learned about handling stress

Different seasons of our life bring different kinds of stress—from the small stressors that pop up then go away, to the big, long-lasting problems that are far beyond our control (I'm eyeing you 2020).

Facing my daughter’s leukemia a few years ago taught me that while I can’t control what challenges I face, I can control my reaction to them. So, if this spring is getting stressful for you, here are the top three things I do to manage my own stress before it spirals out of control.

Tidy up

I can’t relax when my home is full of clutter. Dirty surfaces make me feel frustrated. I get anxious when things are too messy. So, before my kids' bedtime I grab a laundry basket, set the timer for five minutes and put all the out-of-place inside. Then I set the timer for another five minutes and deliver each item in the basket to the right place. It only takes ten minutes, but I've found that a clean space lifts a lot of mental weight for me. The next morning starts "fresh" without the mess from the day before.

Get some fresh air

Don’t underestimate how great it is to step outside, take a deep breath of fresh air, walk in the grass, and get some sunshine. I make time to be outside every day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Movement helps my circulation, boosts my endorphins, and allows more air to flow into my lungs. In fact, I try to take 3-5 minutes to focus on my breathing. When I focus on my breath, my breathing pattern also slows down, which makes me feel more relaxed. If you find focusing on your breath difficult, there are apps out there that you can use to help. Some highly rated free apps are: Headspace, Calm, and The Mindfulness App.

Put your phone down

It's no secret that many iPhone apps are designed to keep me out of the real world and inside a virtual one instead. . Whether it’s social media, the news, or the allure of having an entire world of information just seconds away, the temptation is to be “always on.” But my brain and body were not designed for this kind of situation.

I’ve actually configured my iPhone to remind me to not get swept away on the internet. (You can do this too. Just check for “Downtime” in the Settings app.) I schedule Downtime during the morning, which stops my iPhone’s notifications. When I do unlock my iPhone (usually to snap a photo), all the apps on the home screen are grayed out as a further reminder that I am not giving my attention to those apps at this time. I have the same settings configured during the supper hour so I can enjoy the meal and conversation with my family. This is a small but significant change that I’ve found makes a big difference. A quiet iPhone contributes to a quiet mind.

I also try to make sure I sleep with my iPhone resting somewhere other than my nightstand. This has been harder for me to accomplish consistently, but when I cultivate this habit I find that I fall asleep faster and wake up more easily.

Maybe you've heard some of these suggestions before, but have fallen out of the habit, so perhaps what you need today is a gentle reminder to refocus. Or perhaps you are overwhelmed and stressed to the max with everything on your plate these days. It's OK if you don't have it all together right now. Be kind to yourself. Each day is a new day.

Epsom salt baths

There are several health-focused solutions that I have found help to bring my stress levels in check. For example, I mentioned Cortistop in a previous newsletter. I also love to take an epsom salt bath when my emotions are worn down.

A bath with epsom salts is not only relaxing and rejuvenating for my emotional health, my body also appreciates a gentle detoxification. A bathtub full of epsom salt creates a healthy sulfate solution that flushes impurities from body cells, eases occasional muscle pain, and helps the body to eliminate harmful substances. Adding epsom salts (and it’s sulfates) to bathwater triggers a process in your body called reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis is a fancy way of saying that the solution draws out salt and toxins out of your body. If you know me at all, then you know that I also add my favorite essential oils into my bath salts. I never climb into the tub without them.

Taking Care Epsom Salt Bath Recipe:

Ingredients: 1.5 cups of unscented Epsom salts 2 T of baking soda 8-10 drops of Young Living Essential Oils (my favorite combinations are listed below)

Mix all ingredients in a glass bowl and set aside for 10 minutes. Then pour the entire contents under running bath water so they dissolve, and then hop in.

My favorite "taking care" bath combos are:

• Ylang Ylang + Lavender
• Believe + Awaken + Valor
• Valor + Lavender + Harmony
• Release + Palo Santo + Lavender
• Ylang Ylang + Believe

Of course, this is best enjoyed with your your favorite beverage and a good book.

Snippets of My Week

Friday Beach-YAY.

Excellent read. Recommended.

Me and my four blessings on Mother's Day.

Thanks for reading! What's your favorite way to keep stress to a minimum? I'd love to hear about it! Just hit reply if you'd like to respond. (When you hit reply, your message goes directly to my email. It’s a private conversation between just us.) I read all your messages and try to respond, but not always in a timely manner. Sorry! And if you enjoyed this email, you’d be doing me a favor by forwarding it to someone else who might like it.