These days anxiety is higher than ever for a lot of people including myself. Living in New York City leading a major magazine; juggling a social life, adulting, and many more things all have contributed to the rise in my own anxiety struggles. Many of you have asked me to share my own life hacks and tips (and apps) that I may use to simmer down after a long week or even a long day — so here we go.
- My go-to app is called ‘Finch’ (available on Android *and* Ios look for the little birdie)
Finch is this adorable app that provides an ‘anxiety and self-care bird that you watch grow as time goes on and as you interact with the app. Offering journal services; soothing rain sounds, motivational exercises and more the app is actually free (although you can upgrade for $4.99 a month.) I use this app almost daily and it has provided me a sense of relief at even my own hardest of times.
2. Rain sounds
When feeling super stressed; anxious, around lots of people or in large crowds I have found that simply putting on some rain sounds (or something similar) on my iPhone (I always *always* have my headphones on me) dramatically helps. For example, I have really bad social anxiety that often makes it very difficult to ride the New York City subway. I often will play rain sounds to help me get through the ride and it works like a charm. This also works for many other situations and can be done discreetly and privately.
3. Learning how to say ‘no’
This one probably seems like a no brainer to allot of people but it was actually one that I struggled with for many years. My life has always been dictated by other people up until about 6 or so years ago. There was never any room for ‘no’ because ‘no’ meant that I was either the bad person; not participating, or somehow in the wrong for protecting my inner peace and only doing things that I actually wanted to partake in. Learning to say ‘no’ at almost 30 years old has dramatically helped my mental health because in turn I no longer find myself in uncomfortable situations or ‘events’ that I don’t actually want to partake in.
4. I started playing mobile games as a form of ‘escapism’
Lately I’ve found that I’ve developed a fondness for playing mobile games on my iPad and iPhone. A form of escapism if you will — simply playing games like Disney ‘s ‘Magical Kingdom’ (one of my personal favorites) or ‘Scrabble Go’ has brought me comfort on a level I didn’t know mobile games could provide. I love logging out or getting home from work after a long day and simply sitting over some food and tucking into my games.
5. Marijuana
Your doctor should be advised before you attempt this one but I want to share some things with everyone. Over the past several years, many of you know I have struggled with the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury following a car crash that nearly killed me many years ago. About two years ago, I decided to ‘ditch’ pills and instead go the herbal route in an effort to allow my body to ‘detox’ instead of becoming dependent on physical medicine. I hated the way prescriptions made me feel even when they managed to make things better. I started using marijuana officially about two years ago and have never felt better. In fact, many of my own mental health issues (as a result of the crash) have all but disappeared as a result of smoking weed.
I feel like it’s worth noting that because I smoke marijuana I often rarely if ever drink. The two do not typically go hand in hand.
If you care to chat with your doctor here is my suggestion.
My doctor recommended I smoke ‘3×3’ and that means in the morning (2-3 puffs) in the afternoon 1-2 puffs and before bed 2-4 puffs. 3×3 simply means 3 times a day but in usually small increments. With this I am able to think clearly; my anxiety is usually very very low, and at night I am able to calmly fall asleep typically within about an hour once I get into bed and flip on the T.V for the night. I usually do so by a ‘bowl’ or a pipe though sometimes I’ll roll a joint if I have time or feel like doing so (let’s be honest that’s a process.)
Again your doctor should be consulted before you attempt this. I live in New York City (unfortunately it is not legal yet in the U.K so I only do this when in America) where the use of such both recreationally and medically is now legal. Marijuana is not meant for those under the age of 21 in New York State by state law. Use of such should be discussed with doctors and the like.
Be First to Comment