If you are suffering with anxiety, please read my story. At the end, I share the tools that have helped me greatly. I know they can help you.

Back in March when this pandemic really started and we were all on some kind of lock down, I got sick and had to get tested for Covid-19, before getting tested was so prevalent. I was sent to the church down the street, where people in hazmat suits, directed me to a tent via green and red cards(for stop and go), where I would roll down the window and get a Q-tip shoved so far up my nose, I felt like it tickled my brain.

The test itself was not that bad and it was very quick. However, the anxiety that mounted from this outbreak movie type experience, caused me to have nightly panic attacks for the next few weeks. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t swallow, was paralyzed with fear and could not talk, could not sleep, I was a mess. This was a very PTSD type of response I was told. I was given Xanax to manage it, but then like MANY meds that I have taken in my life, I had an allergic reaction. I was told that NO ONE is allergic to Xanax, besides myself and a select few others.

I have had a history of anxiety, but never this bad, except when flying, and that is a whole different story, which you will hear about how I manage in a later blog. I contacted my doctor and started Lexapro. However, that takes a few weeks to kick in, and I knew that I needed to figure out how to manage this along with the medication.

I have a great family and really good friends who all offered to talk to me and help me in any way they could. One problem, I could not talk when I was in the midst of a panic attack.

So, I started to research supplements, foods, exercises and meditations to help me regain control. Here are the great tools that have helped me, and I hope may be able to help you: offer you some relief from the suffering:

The Calm App – I listen to this every night before bed and anytime I feel breathless. It has many meditations to help calm you when you are in the midst of a panic or anxiety attack. It is also a great way to help you be mindful and keep you calm.

Exercise – I need my daily exercise. A great sweat session really helps my mental state. Science actually backs this up, as serotonin levels increase when you exercise. Serotonin is a mood regulating hormone, found in your brain

Vitalityextracts.com – This company sells bracelets that diffuse calming essential oils. They have a variety to choose from. The make up of the stones in the bracelet also have calming properties.

CBD- Gummies or Oil – Sugar and Kush tastes great and really calms you down. This also helps with sleep

Hormones – If you are a woman with anxiety, I encourage you to get your hormones tested. I found out my DHEA and Progesterone were really low. Both of these contribute to anxiety, and transversely anxiety helps to deplete your body of these hormones. *Do not take unless you go to the doctor first*

Pulse Oximeter – When I feel like I am short of breath, which is one of my anxiety symptoms almost nightly, I look at my pulse oximeter and show myself that I can breathe

Breathing Exercises – Breathe in to a count of four, hold for four seconds, and exhale for eight seconds. Repeat at least four times

Journal – Journal your accomplishments, journal your triggers, journal your gratitude and what makes you happy

Stay Off Media – It is so easy to get drawn in to the numbers and stories everyday on every channel, on social media etc.. Knowledge is not always power, sometimes it increases anxiety

If you are suffering, I empathize. We will all get through this scary time and hopefully come out of it happier and stronger. You can do this!