These past few months... actually the past year has been full of upheaval and chaos no matter where you are in the world.

There is an energy of collective grief, uncertainty, and fear. These low vibrational energies keep up in a cyclical state of anxiety and despair. The good news is that we have free will. We can decide how we perceive life and the circumstances around us. Life is full of duality. Light cannot exist without the dark. There is a time to stir about and a time to rest.

No matter how uncomfortable things feel right now, remember that growth and progress can only occur with friction. We have to experience discomfort to motivate change within us. Rainbows only appear after it rains.

Here are five incredibly effective ways to destress and self-soothe:

1. Journal

Journaling is such an easy and underrated healing modality. Putting pen to paper creates an energetic transmutation as emotions are meant to be felt and released. It is amazingly versatile too! You can write out your fears, doubts, and resentments then... throw it away. You can write out your ideal life and plan for your future. You can write a poem, a gratitude list, or your plot to take over the world (if that's your thing). It's all transformative as it forces your mind to slow down and reflect.

2. Read (or Listen to) Your Favorite Books

There's nothing like getting lost in an inspiring book. In this case, it's a good distraction and can be a form of meditation. Some books can uplift you and (at best) motivate you to take action to improve yourself or the circumstances surrounding you.

3. Allow Your Inner Child to Play

Can you think of something you enjoyed as a child but haven't allowed yourself to do for fear of judgment, "lack of time", or a plethora of other excuses? If the answer is yes, do that thing! Whatever sparks joy (no matter how small), gift that to yourself. When we deny ourselves the things we enjoy, we subconsciously send the message that our needs and desires don't matter. Indulge in the ice cream, sing at the top of your lungs, finger paint, roller skate... whatever makes you feel alive and brings a smile to your face.

4. Enjoy Nature's Playground

We often underestimate the profound healing effects of being in nature. Mindful engagement in nature offers many physical benefits such as increased oxygen, mild to strenuous exercise, increased absorption of vitamin D (shown to play a massive role in our mental health), decreased blood pressure, and reduced production of stress hormones. Enjoying nature can be as simple as taking a short walk in a local park, planning a day trip to your local state park, or hiking in a national park.

5. Pamper Yourself

By far, engaging in self-care is the most effective way to destress and self-soothe. Self-care strengthens your ability to trust yourself. Our inability to trust ourselves often triggers our anxiety. We fear we aren't capable of managing our circumstances. We fear we will make the wrong decisions. This fear stems from not believing (ie trusting) in ourselves. When we commit to showing up for ourselves we begin to believe in our abilities to handle anything that comes our way. Self-care can include taking time off from work, meditating, taking a luxurious bath, or simply placing our needs before the needs of others. It's not selfish, it's vital. You can't pour from an empty cup.

That concludes our top 5 secrets to beat stress and anxiety! Let us know some of your secrets to maintain balance in your life. Be sure to check us out on social media, subscribe to our newsletter for more tips, promotions, and new products! Don't forget to check out the shop for your mind, body, and spirit necessities.

With love.