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  The holiday season rolls around with its glittery promise of joy and celebration. But if you’re feeling more stressed than stuffed with good cheer, you're far from alone. Many of us find the most wonderful time of the year is also, paradoxically, one of the most anxiety-inducing. Here's a look at why our stress levels can skyrocket when the holidays hit.   All That Glitters Isn't Relaxation The holidays come with a heavy load of expectations. Everywhere you look, from commercials to classic movies, you’re sold the dream of perfect, peaceful festivities. Trying to live up to this dream can be draining, leaving us feeling like we’re not quite measuring up when our reality doesn’t match the holiday card scenes. The Social Whirlwind Invitations to holiday parties can be flattering, but they can also lead to social exhaustion. For those of us who find crowds and small talk taxing rather than thrilling, a packed party schedule is a recipe for anxiety. Feeling Like You’re on Stage Sometimes it seems like everyone at the party is watching your every move, waiting for a slip-up. This 'spotlight effect' can be intense during the holidays, making us feel exposed and anxious when we're just trying to have a good time. The Financial Squeeze 'Tis the season of giving, which unfortunately also means spending. The pressure to buy gifts, often with money we don’t have, can turn holiday cheer into financial fear. Journeys Jitters Traveling during the holidays can feel like braving the wild, wild west. Overcrowded flights, winter weather delays, and the general chaos of transit hubs can frazzle even the calmest of us. Children’s Concerns Kids have a sixth sense for stress. They can pick up on adult anxieties and become anxious themselves, making for a less-than-jolly holiday experience for the little ones. The Perfection Illusion We can thank holiday specials for our unrealistic expectations. We’re bombarded with images of the idyllic holiday setup, and when our own homes and experiences don’t match, it can feel like a personal failure. To-Do List a Mile Long The holiday to-do list can seem endless. Bake the cookies, trim the tree, wrap the presents, attend the concerts... it’s a lot. The pressure to complete these seasonal tasks can make us feel like we're in over our heads. Self-Care Shortage With all the hustle and bustle, who has time for self-care? Yet, it’s when we’re busiest that we most need to carve out time for relaxation and rejuvenation. Asking for Help is Hard While we may recognize, from an intellectual standpoint, that seeking assistance is acceptable, the act of reaching out can be a different challenge, especially when we're anxious and exhausted. This can be the case even in situations where it's probable that those around us are also experiencing similar feelings.   The holidays can certainly stir up a mix of emotions, and anxiety is often part of the package. But recognizing the common triggers can help us prepare and cope better.       Here are 10 Effective Ways to Cope with Holiday Anxiety: Embrace Imperfection: Remind yourself that it's okay if everything isn't picture-perfect. Happiness isn't measured by how well you decorate or feast. Select Socializing: It's fine to turn down an invite or two. Choose events that you'll enjoy and won't leave you drained. Shine Your Own Light: Remember, people are usually too preoccupied with their own worries to scrutinize you. Just be yourself! Budget Wisely: Create a gift budget and stick to it. Homemade gifts or the gift of time can be more meaningful than anything store-bought. Plan Your Travels: Travel off-peak if possible, and always have a backup plan. A good book or a calming playlist can be your best travel buddy. Prepare the Kids: Maintain some routine for the children and prepare them for the events to ensure they feel secure amidst the holiday chaos.  Adjust Expectations: Reality rarely matches the holiday movies. Enjoy the quirks and imperfections that make your family's celebrations unique. Tackle Tasks Together: Make holiday preparations a group activity. It's a great way to bond, and it divides the workload. Schedule 'Me Time': Prioritize downtime. A quiet walk, a relaxing bath, or a good book can recharge your batteries. Reach Out: Talk about your feelings with friends or seek professional help if the stress becomes too much. Sharing your worries can lighten your load.   Remember, you deserve the holiday season to be a time for joy and celebration, not stress and perfection. By recognizing what triggers our anxiety and taking steps to address it, we can enjoy a more relaxed and festive season.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of medication commonly used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions. They work by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, in the brain. Here's a closer look at how SSRIs work, their side effects, how long they take to work, their potential for addiction, and how to safely stop taking them. The information provided in this article is not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is important to consult with a licensed healthcare professional before starting or stopping any medication or treatment plan for anxiety or any other health condition.  What are the most common SSRIs medications? Some of the most commonly prescribed SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), and paroxetine (Paxil). How do SSRIs work? SSRIs work by selectively blocking the reuptake of serotonin in the brain. This means that they prevent the brain from reabsorbing serotonin after it is released, which in turn increases the overall levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is believed to play a role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and other bodily functions, so by increasing its levels, SSRIs can help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. What are the side effects of SSRIs? Like all medications, SSRIs can cause side effects, although not everyone who takes them will experience these side effects. Common side effects of SSRIs include nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, and sexual dysfunction. Some people may also experience weight gain, sleep disturbances, or increased anxiety or irritability. In rare cases, SSRIs can also cause more serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts, seizures, or serotonin syndrome, which is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when too much serotonin builds up in the body. How long does it take for SSRIs to work? The length of time it takes for SSRIs to take effect can vary depending on the individual and the specific medication. Some SSRIs may take longer to start working than others, and some may work better for certain individuals than others. For example, fluoxetine (Prozac) is one of the oldest SSRIs and may take up to six weeks to reach its full therapeutic effect. Sertraline (Zoloft) is another commonly prescribed SSRI that may take several weeks to work. Citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) are newer SSRIs that may have a faster onset of action, with some people reporting improvement in symptoms within a week or two. Paroxetine (Paxil) is another commonly prescribed SSRI that may take a few weeks to start working, and it may also have a higher risk of causing withdrawal symptoms than some other SSRIs. As always, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider about any questions or concerns you may have about the specific medication you're taking. Is it addictive? SSRIs are generally not considered to be addictive in the traditional sense, as they do not produce a high or a euphoric effect the same way that drugs like opioids or benzodiazepines do. However, they can be habit-forming in some cases, and abruptly stopping SSRIs can cause withdrawal symptoms. It's important to talk to your healthcare provider before stopping an SSRI and to follow their instructions for safely tapering off the medication. How to safely stop taking SSRIs If you and your healthcare provider decide that it's time to stop taking an SSRI, it's important to do so slowly and under their supervision. Suddenly stopping an SSRI can cause withdrawal symptoms, which can include dizziness, nausea, headache, irritability, and insomnia. Your healthcare provider may recommend gradually reducing the dosage of the medication over several weeks or months to minimize the risk of withdrawal symptoms. In conclusion, SSRIs are a widely prescribed class of medication that can be effective in treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. They work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, but they can also have side effects and may be habit-forming in some cases. If you're considering taking an SSRI or are currently taking one, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you may have, and always follow their instructions for safe and effective use of the medication. Looking for drug-free solutions? CalmiGo is a scientifically proven device that activates the parasympathetic nervous system and reduces stress hormone levels. It provides both immediate and long-term relief, enabling you to effortlessly step out of the vicious anxiety cycle and regain control of your life. * This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. The information provided in this article does not suggest the use of any specific drug for the treatment of anxiety. It is important to consult with a licensed healthcare professional before starting any medication or treatment plan for anxiety or any other health condition. Only a healthcare professional can properly evaluate your individual needs and determine the appropriate course of treatment. Resources: National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications/mental-health-medications.shtml Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825 American Psychiatric Association: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Mental-Health-Medications/Types-of-Medication/Selective-Serotonin-Reuptake-Inhibitors-(SSRIs) Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/drugs-and-medications/how-do-antidepressants-work

Benzodiazepines are a class of medications commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizure disorders. They work by enhancing the activity of a neurotransmitter in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps to reduce overactivity in the central nervous system and promote relaxation. Although benzodiazepines can be effective in managing these conditions, they also have the potential to cause unwanted side effects and can be habit-forming if used for an extended period of time. Understanding the risks and benefits of benzodiazepine use is essential for anyone considering this type of medication. The information provided in this article is not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is important to consult with a licensed healthcare professional before starting or stopping any medication or treatment plan for anxiety or any other health condition.  What are the most common benzodiazepine medications? Some of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines include Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Valium (diazepam). What are the side effects of benzodiazepines? Common side effects of benzodiazepines include drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, and difficulty with memory and concentration. Some people may also experience nausea, headaches, or blurred vision. These side effects usually subside as the body adjusts to the medication, but they can be more pronounced in older adults or people with certain medical conditions. Benzodiazepines can also cause more serious side effects, including respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. In addition, long-term use of benzodiazepines can lead to tolerance, which means that the body becomes accustomed to the medication and requires higher doses to achieve the same effect. How long does it take for benzodiazepines to work? Benzodiazepines are usually taken orally and begin to take effect within 30 minutes to an hour after ingestion. The duration of their effects varies depending on the specific medication and the individual's metabolism, but most benzodiazepines last for several hours. Is benzodiazepine addictive? Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and Valium are usually taken orally and begin to take effect within 30 minutes to an hour after ingestion. The duration of their effects varies depending on the specific medication and the individual's metabolism, but most benzodiazepines last for several hours. Xanax typically lasts for around 4-6 hours, Klonopin can last for 6-12 hours, Ativan typically lasts for 6-8 hours, and Valium lasts for 4-6 hours. Because of their potential for abuse, benzodiazepines are classified as controlled substances by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It's important to follow the dosing instructions provided by your healthcare provider and to report any side effects or concerns promptly. How to safely stop taking benzodiazepines? Stopping benzodiazepines suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms, which can range from mild to severe and can include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, muscle cramps, and seizures. To avoid these symptoms, it is essential to taper off benzodiazepines gradually and only under the guidance of a healthcare professional. This usually involves reducing the dosage gradually over several weeks or months until the medication is discontinued entirely. What are the withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines? Withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines can be severe and may include rebound anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. These symptoms can persist for several weeks or months, depending on the duration and dosage of the medication. In some cases, a gradual tapering of the medication may be necessary to avoid or minimize withdrawal symptoms. In conclusion, benzodiazepines can be effective medications for managing anxiety, insomnia, and seizure disorders, but they should be used with caution due to their potential for side effects and addiction. Anyone considering benzodiazepine use should discuss the risks and benefits with a healthcare professional and follow their guidelines for safe and effective use. If you are experiencing benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms or have concerns about your medication use, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Looking for drug-free solutions? CalmiGo is a scientifically proven device that activates the parasympathetic nervous system and reduces stress hormone levels. It provides both immediate and long-term relief, enabling you to effortlessly step out of the vicious anxiety cycle and regain control of your life. * This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. The information provided in this article does not suggest the use of any specific drug for the treatment of anxiety. It is important to consult with a licensed healthcare professional before starting any medication or treatment plan for anxiety or any other health condition. Only a healthcare professional can properly evaluate your individual needs and determine the appropriate course of treatment. resources: National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Benzodiazepines and Opioids. https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids American Psychiatric Association. (2010). Practice guidelines for the treatment of patients with anxiety disorders. https://psychiatryonline.org/pb/assets/raw/sitewide/practice_guidelines/guidelines/anxiety.pdf National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2020). Benzodiazepines. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Mental-Health-Medications/Benzodiazepines Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). TIP 45: Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. https://store.samhsa.gov/product/TIP-45-Detoxification-and-Substance-Abuse-Treatment/SMA15-4131 American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2015). The ASAM National Practice Guideline for the Use of Medications in the Treatment of Addiction Involving Opioid Use. https://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/practice-support/guidelines-and-consensus-docs/asam-national-practice-guideline-supplement.pdf Mayo Clinic. (2021). Benzodiazepines. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/benzodiazepines-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20061293 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Xanax (alprazolam) Tablets. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/018276s044lbl.pdf U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Ativan (lorazepam) Tablets. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/017794s045lbl.pdf U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Valium (diazepam) Tablets. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/013263s110lbl.pdf U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). Klonopin (clonazepam) Tablets. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/017533s072lbl.pdf

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While therapy and lifestyle changes can be effective in managing anxiety, medications are also available as an option for those who need them. There are several types of drugs for anxiety, and each one works differently. In this article, we will discuss the various medications used for anxiety, their pros and cons, and the risks associated with their use. The information provided in this article is not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is important to consult with a licensed healthcare professional before starting or stopping any medication or treatment plan for anxiety or any other health condition.  Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines are a type of medication that is commonly prescribed for anxiety. They work by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which helps to reduce anxiety. Benzodiazepines are fast-acting and can provide quick relief for anxiety symptoms. However, they can also be habit-forming and have a high risk of abuse. Benzodiazepines can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination, which can make it dangerous to drive or operate heavy machinery. They can also interact with alcohol and other medications, increasing the risk of overdose. Some of the most common benzodiazepines used in the US include Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and Valium. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): SSRIs are a type of antidepressant that is also used to treat anxiety disorders. They work by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, in the brain. SSRIs can take several weeks to start working, but they are not habit-forming and have a lower risk of abuse compared to benzodiazepines. They can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and sexual dysfunction. Some common SSRIs used for anxiety in the US include Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): SNRIs are another type of antidepressant that is also used to treat anxiety disorders. They work by increasing the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in the body's stress response, in the brain. Like SSRIs, SNRIs can take several weeks to start working, but they are not habit-forming and have a lower risk of abuse compared to benzodiazepines. They can cause side effects such as nausea, headache, and increased heart rate. Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers are a type of medication that is commonly used to treat high blood pressure, but they can also be used to treat anxiety symptoms such as rapid heart rate and trembling. Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline, a hormone that is involved in the body's stress response. Beta-blockers are not habit-forming, but they can cause side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, and low blood pressure. Some common beta-blockers used for anxiety in the US include Inderal and Tenormin.  Antipsychotics: Antipsychotics are a type of medication that is commonly used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but they can also be used to treat anxiety symptoms such as agitation and irritability. Antipsychotics work by blocking the effects of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in the brain's reward and pleasure centers. Antipsychotics can cause side effects such as weight gain, diabetes, and movement disorders. Some common antipsychotics used for anxiety in the US include Seroquel and Zyprexa. In conclusion, medications can be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, but they come with their own set of risks and benefits. It is important to work with a mental health professional to determine which medication, if any, is right for you. They can help you weigh the pros and cons and monitor your symptoms and side effects. It is also important to follow the medication instructions carefully and report any concerns to your healthcare provider promptly.  Looking for drug-free solutions? CalmiGo is a scientifically proven device that activates the parasympathetic nervous system and reduces stress hormone levels. It provides both immediate and long-term relief, enabling you to effortlessly step out of the vicious anxiety cycle and regain control of your life. * This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. The information provided in this article does not suggest the use of any specific drug for the treatment of anxiety. It is important to consult with a licensed healthcare professional before starting any medication or treatment plan for anxiety or any other health condition. Only a healthcare professional can properly evaluate your individual needs and determine the appropriate course of treatment. resources: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) - Anxiety Disorders: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): https://adaa.org/ American Psychiatric Association (APA) - Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with Anxiety Disorders: https://psychiatryonline.org/guidelines Mayo Clinic - Anxiety Disorders: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961 MedlinePlus - Anxiety: https://medlineplus.gov/anxiety.html Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - Mental Health Medications: https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/mental-health-medications National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Anxiety Disorders: https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Anxiety-Disorders

After a summer of fun in the sun and waking up late, it’s not uncommon for children and parents alike to feel anxiety about returning to school. Fear of the unknown, a change in schedules, and a return to the structure of the school day can make the back-to-school season stressful. The good news is that, with a little bit of help, back-to-school anxiety can be managed. What is Back-to-School Anxiety? As summer winds down, anxiety can rev up. Looming ahead are lesson plans and homework, studying for tests, and navigating social situations. Due to these expectations, students of all ages can experience heightened stress during the start of a new school year, called back-to-school anxiety.  Data from Mental Health America shows that 31.9% of teens ages 13-18 have an anxiety disorder, making these teens more prone to feeling back-to-school anxiety. Even college-aged students may feel increased stress before a new school year, especially if it’s their first time in college. Tips for Managing Back-to-School Anxiety The heightened stress that comes with the back-to-school season is common, but there are a variety of ways to manage the stress. The following are a few tips to combat back-to-school anxiety and start the school year with confidence.  Spot the Signs of Back-to-School Anxiety Not every child experiences back-to-school anxiety. However, for those that do, caregivers need to identify the signs before the anxiety becomes overwhelming. Some common signs of back-to-school stress are: Resistance to participating in back-to-school activities like shopping, school tours, or new-student meet-and-greets.  Repetitive questions about the school year. “What if I don’t make friends?” “What if I’m late to school?” An increase in physical complaints like headaches or fatigue. Changes in sleeping patterns. Recognizing the signs of back-to-school anxiety is the first step to helping your child overcome stress.  Acknowledge the Anxiety Addressing anxiety rather than ignoring it helps conquer stress. It’s natural to want to hide from anxiety, but doing so only reinforces the anxiety in the long term. Confronting back-to-school anxiety empowers the child and weakens the power of fear. A supportive and constructive conversation with a child struggling with back-to-school anxiety starts the journey toward a successful school year.  Plan and Rehearse Heading into unfamiliar situations leads to anxiety. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, planning and rehearsing prepares children for the upcoming school year and reduces stress. For example, children and parents can perform  a calm simulated walk-through of the daily morning routine for school. Familiarizing children with their new routines before the start of classes can reduce anxiety once the school year arrives.  Problem Solve Sometimes, it’s a specific situation that a student or parent dreads about the school year. Finding ways to address the issue rather than avoid it alleviates stress and offers a sense of control. Whether the problem is potential bullying, test anxiety, homesickness, or making friends, discovering possible solutions can reduce back-to-school stress. Managing Back-to-School Anxiety through Controlled Breathing  One scientifically proven medication-free method to cope with back-to-school anxiety is controlled breathing. CalmiGo is a patented technology-based device that quickly alleviates stress. Discreet and user-friendly, CalmiGo fits easily in a backpack or jacket pocket for immediate access. With CalmiGo, children of all ages always have the help they need to conquer back-to-school anxiety.

The symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD, can occur suddenly. Without any impending signs or triggers, people who have PTSD can find themselves in the midst of their PTSD symptoms. Fortunately, there are activities that can help alleviate the dissociation and flashbacks that accompany PTSD. “Grounding techniques,” for example, are strategies that utilize a person’s senses and the environment to manage PTSD and other anxiety disorders. What is a Grounding Technique  Grounding techniques are coping strategies used to connect you with the present moment, otherwise known as “grounding.” Typically utilized for symptoms of PTSD, grounding is also effective for the following conditions:  anxiety obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) phobias self-harm urges traumatic memories substance use disorder Through grounding techniques, individuals with PTSD or anxiety can regulate distressing thoughts, emotions, or memories.  How Grounding Works What makes most grounding techniques work is the use of a few senses— like touch, taste, sound, smell, and sight—to: Link the person to the present environment. Distract a person from their current emotions, thoughts, and fears.  Very often, grounding techniques utilize simple prompts and tasks to foster a sense of connection and calmness.  A few examples of grounding techniques are: Rubbing a favorite scented lotion on the hands to trigger the sense of smell. Listening to a meaningful song or singing a familiar tune to use sound as a link.  Sucking on a strong sour candy to focus on taste.  Intently listening to the ticking of a watch or clock.  Rubbing a square of velvet or a textured fabric kept in the pocket. Pressing the fingers of one hand into the fingers of the other hand. Petting or smelling a favorite pet. Describing the immediate surroundings, focusing on colors. Slowly clench and unclench fists repeatedly. These activities produce sensations that make it difficult for a person’s mind to ignore, basically redirecting their attention away from what is distressful. Mental Grounding Techniques  Not all grounding techniques use the senses. Some utilize mental distractions instead. These grounding exercises redirect thoughts away from intense emotions and help relieve anxiety. Some of the most well-known forms of mental grounding techniques use visualization. Imagining a “happy place,” for instance, is an example of a mental grounding technique. Another mental grounding technique is saying the alphabet backward or concentrating on saying the multiplication tables in order.  What Grounding Techniques Should You Use?  The techniques a person chooses to use for grounding depend on personal preference. Grounding techniques are personal and, very often, unique to the individual. In the end, it depends on what works for the person.  A person’s favorite song, a personal scent, or even a special stone held in the pocket can all be utilized for grounding, and each depends on a person’s interests and passions. What matters is that whatever a person chooses works for them. Grounding Techniques Can Be Used Anywhere  What’s convenient about grounding techniques is that they can be used anywhere. Whether outside in public or at home, grounding works without medication or years of training. Grounding can be used immediately, though it does take time and a few tries to see what works best.  Grounding Techniques and Breathing  One method that accompanies many grounding techniques is controlled breathing. Incorporating controlled breathing into any grounding technique can increase the method’s effectiveness. For example, listening to the tick of a watch or clock while performing timed and controlled breathing can help improve results.  For many people, however, controlled breathing may be difficult when they’re feeling overwhelmed with anxiety. It’s during these situations that a multi-sensory device like CalmiGo can help. In a recent study, CalmiGo was given to 29 army veterans who had combat-related PTSD and anxiety. Almost all study participants experienced a rapid immediate reduction of their symptoms through the use of CalmiGo, along with long-term relief of their anxiety.  If you’re looking for a convenient and easy-to-do grounding technique, CalmiGo is what you’ve been searching for. CalmiGo is a scientifically proven stress reduction tool that incorporates smell, sight, touch, and breathing into an effective and proven grounding technique. Small and discreet, CalmiGo is an excellent medication-free option for PTSD and anxiety-related symptoms.

The more you learn about how your car works, the more confident you feel about managing the situation when it breaks down. This same approach applies to your body, especially your nervous system. The more you understand your parasympathetic nervous system, the better you’ll be at managing it when you feel anxious. What is the parasympathetic nervous system? Your body’s nervous system is divided into two parts; the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS includes the literal brains of the operation — your brain and your spinal cord. In general, once nerves and neurons within the CNS are injured or severed, they can’t regenerate. The PNS consists of all the nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord. The PNS is further divided into two more systems, the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). When it comes to anxiety, it’s the ANS that’s important to understand and remember. The autonomic nervous system controls the involuntary functions of our body. It’s “automatic” in that the ANS determines its responses without our awareness. Breaking Down the Autonomic Nervous System Further The autonomic nervous system can be further broken down into the parasympathetic nervous system and sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) regulates bodily functions when a person is at rest. It’s commonly thought of as the “rest and digest” system. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) imitates the body’s reaction to its environment. For example, the SNS raises an individual’s heart rate in response to danger. This system is known as the “fight or flight” system. The parasympathetic nervous system and sympathetic nervous system work together to balance our nervous system. The PSNS keeps the SNS in check when there’s no danger, and the SNS overrides the PSNS when a threat occurs. These two systems work in tangent, both having influence over your various glands and your heart, lungs, digestive system, bladder, and eyes. The Parasympathetic Nervous System The PSNS oversees most of your body system and glands while the body is resting. This system allows your body to chug along efficiently and calmly without your conscious involvement. Without your help, the PSNS competently goes about regulating your: Resting heart rate Resting blood pressure Eyesight Tissue healing Immune system Digestive function Reproductive function Why Should I Care About the Parasympathetic Nervous System? It’s essential to know about the PSNS because, when the SNS is triggered, the PSNS takes a back seat. When the “fight or flight” system becomes activated, the systems that the PSNS oversees — like immunity, reproductive function, digestion — are impacted. Therefore, if your body is in a prolonged “fight or flight” state, your PSNS can’t do its job effectively. Prolonged anxiety, which allows the SNS to call the shots even when there’s no longer a threat, compromises the myriad of things that the PSNS is responsible for controlling. Chronic stress and anxiety doesn’t let the body “rest and digest” like it’s supposed to. Instead, it overrides the PSNS, causing mental and physical symptoms like high blood pressure, digestive problems, and depression. How to Get the Parasympathetic Nervous System Back on Track Because the PSNS oversees a significant number of organs and systems, it’s vital to maintain adequate parasympathetic response. Controlled breathing allows the parasympathetic to take back its rightful place once there’s no longer an immediate danger. Breathing at a slower and measured pace triggers a parasympathetic response and places the sympathetic nervous system on hold.

The past decade has shown everyone exactly how important your health is — both your physical and mental health. And although each person has individual traits and situations, the past few years have affected society emotionally as a whole. This phenomenon is called collective trauma, and it can impact the mental health of you and your loved ones. What is Collective Trauma? Collective trauma is a psychological response by a large group of people to a traumatic event or events of great magnitude. For example, collective trauma may occur when a country goes to war or when a pandemic impacts the entire world. Collective trauma can heighten emotions and reduce a person’s capacity to be resilient, making them less likely to manage problems in a healthy manner.  When collective trauma occurs, it stretches resources thin. People may find themselves feeling angry and easily irritated, yet aren’t able to recognize where the feeling stems from. These emotions may lead to outbursts or poor behavior, especially in stressful situations. As an example, the Federal Aviation Administration cited one thousand unruly passengers in 2021, more than five times the years prior. Flying on an airplane causes some tension, even for the most tolerant of flyers. For the most part, people tend to follow directions and respect others when flying. During a time of collective trauma like the present, however, flying can cause some people to act out their frustrations. What are the symptoms of collective trauma? The symptoms of collective trauma are the same as experiencing any other distressing situation. Some common symptoms are: Irritability  Anger with your family and peers Anger towards the community Changes in eating habits Changes in sleeping habits Nightmares A decline in grades or work output Collective trauma is challenging because the trauma also impacts the community around a person; therefore, healthy resources may be limited.  Are children affected the most by collective trauma? Everyone can become impacted by collective trauma, but children are the most susceptible. Younger children have a more limited view of the world and are less able to seek help independently. Furthermore, these children may not have the ability to articulate their thoughts and emotions adequately.  Children who are struggling with trauma may: Reduction in school attendance Perform poorly in school Nightmares Show signs of severe separation anxiety Develop anxiety disorders Unlike adults, children are still in their formative years and may misinterpret the world around them. Trauma can leave them feeling anxious and unsafe. Despite their resiliency, children still need to learn positive coping skills and require consistent support. Treating Trauma and Maintaining Mental Health  If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health, speak to your physician or a mental healthcare provider. There are also activities individuals of any age can do on their own to help overcome the anxiety that comes with any type of trauma. First, learn what triggers the distressing memories and feelings. Is it a place or sound? Writing a journal about the emotions makes finding a pattern and spotting triggers easier. Knowing what triggers distressing emotions allows people to prepare themselves for the future. The next step is to learn to manage the distressing emotions. By utilizing techniques like counting to 10, progressive muscle relaxation, or controlled breathing, people may find that they can reduce the symptoms of anxiety caused by trauma. Compassion for Others and Yourself  What’s most important is finding compassion for yourself and those around you. The past decade may have affected some people more than others, but the collective trauma has left no one untouched. Now is a necessary time to give yourself, your loved ones, and the world at large a little space to heal and recover.  Whether an adult or a child, everyone could use a little help caring for their mental health. A convenient and quick medication-free technique to reduce stress is controlled breathing. CalmiGo offers easy prompts to guide you through three minutes of controlled breathing, all you need to eliminate anxiety. With CalmiGo, you’ll have the ability to control your breathing and clear your mind.

Stress Awareness Month is a national campaign that began in 1992 in a widespread effort to inform people about the dangers of stress and educate the public about successful coping strategies. With all the pressures of modern life, stress is more prevalent than ever: two-thirds of U.S. workers reported engaging in behavior such as drinking or crying regularly in response to stress.  What Is Stress? Stress is an emotional, physiological and psychological reaction to various factors in our lives.  It often takes the form of feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressure. Money, work, family, economic outlook and relationships were the five top-reported sources of stress in an American Psychological Association survey. Additionally, people dealing with acute and complex trauma and other mental health disorders can find themselves experiencing more stress from everyday events, triggering responses.  What are the Dangers of Stress? Beyond interrupting one’s ability to enjoy life, stress can have a cumulative, oxidative effect on one’s mental and physical wellbeing. People who experience chronic stress are more susceptible to a variety of ailments, from headaches and insomnia to high blood pressure and heart disease.  What are effective coping strategies for dealing with stress? It might seem like stress is an unavoidable part of everyday life. But these coping strategies can help you release and manage stress, preventing it from building up and affecting your mental and physical health. Exercise - Exercise is proven to be one of the top ways to combat stress. If time constraints prevent you from sticking to a regular exercise routine, find ways to build physical activity into your day in small ways.  Relaxation methods - There are numerous, proven ways to get your mind to unwind. Meditation, breathing exercises, and even prayer are all ways to put the mind at ease and activate the parasympathetic nervous system. Nutrition - Stress makes many people head straight for the snack pantry. However, this is likely to exacerbate the problem. Sticking to a healthy diet rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals is key for helping your body and mind cope with stressors. Unplug - Too much screen time is emerging as a hidden cause of stress buildup. Too much time online or watching TV exacerbates stress. As tempting as it can be to binge-watch a favorite series to relax, try and limit your screen time if you are suffering from stress and find enjoyable alternatives. Have fun! - Laughter has been found to lower levels of stress hormones and inflammation. Try and reprioritize your commitments, and make time to engage in activities that bring you joy. Where does CalmiGo fit in? CalmiGo is a groundbreaking device designed to help you combat stress and restore a sense of calm. This scientifically proven, drug-free device activates your body’s own natural stress-alleviating capabilities and soothes the nervous system in just 3 minutes. Calmigo combines three scientifically proven de-stressing techniques - breathing regulation, multi-sensory stimulation, and relaxing scents - to restore a sense of calm. Want to know how it works? Read more here (link to how does it work page).

Are you feeling pulled in all directions? Whether you work from home, commute to work, or do a combination of both, setting boundaries to allow for an appropriate work-life balance can seem next to impossible. Despite how challenging it might seem, finding a satisfying balance between work and life is possible. Let’s explore ways to make work-life balance happen for you!  The State of Work  Before discussing work-life balance, it helps to highlight what the current state of work is for most people.  Roughly 46% of people feel stressed about their workload.  Approximately 26% of people are experiencing work burnout.  About 40% of people consider their jobs to be highly stressful. These statistics indicate that work is a significant source of stress for almost half the workforce. Creating firm boundaries between work-life and home-life was never easy, and these days it’s only become more complex.  Life Stress  Day-to-day experiences also add to your overall stress. The morning rush, the weekend get-togethers, and the never-ending chores create their layer upon layer of stress. Along with daily stress comes significant life upheavals, like illness, job loss, or divorce. When you combine life stress with the stress from work, the whole shebang becomes overwhelming — your stress level passes the tipping point, and your work-life balance topples over.  Work-Life Balance Is Not a Destination  The traditional way of looking at work-life balance is that it is something to be achieved. This school of thought assumes that your choice is binary; it’s either work or your life outside of work. And it pushes the narrative that there is a pinnacle of work-life balance for you to attain.  The truth is that work-life balance is about effectively managing the stresses of all parts of your life. Work-life balance is more about dealing with the ebb and flow of stress in your life. Work-life balance is not a destination; it is a process!  Tips for Life Balance  The best way to balance all aspects of your life is to manage stress and prioritize your interests. Fortunately, you can take steps to create a more balanced life.  Know Your Limitations Knowing how to say “no” allows you to direct where you spend your energy. Develop an awareness of your stress levels, and make a concerted effort to set limits. Find ways to say “no” to activities that don’t meet your needs.  Be Flexible A highly scheduled life not only makes you feel overwhelmed, but it also doesn’t leave enough wiggle room for life’s uncertainties. Be flexible enough to roll with the punches and be willing to accept changes.  Think Long-Term Adopting a long-range approach to work-life balance prevents you from placing too much emphasis on the day-to-day hurdles. Work-life balance is an ongoing process and requires continually adjusting your interventions.  Learn and Implement Stress Management Although your life may have major stresses at the moment, it won’t always stay that way. The goal is to make it through stressful periods healthy and resilient. Developing effective stress management techniques helps you through difficult times and benefits your mind and body. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff In conclusion, work-life balance is more about finding equilibrium through stress management. Identifying ways to deal with stress and adjust to changes will prevent you from feeling unbalanced.  Manage stress and establish your work-life equilibrium through CalmiGo’s convenient adaptive breathing technology. CalmiGo’s scented elements and multi-sensory experience give you the calm you need to deal with life’s everyday problems. Try CalmiGo today and discover what it can do for you.

It’s Valentine’s Day month; regardless of whether you have a sweetheart, love should always start with the most important person: yourself. Self-love can feel daunting to many, a vague set of rituals that take up time you may feel you don’t have.  It doesn’t have to be this way! Science shows that a minimum of self-care can have enormous benefits. We’ve selected a few, low-lift practices to start your journey to self-love, one small step at a time—no equipment necessary!   Radical Acceptance of Your Emotions: Ever notice that you are trying to push away a thought or emotion? What happens to it? It usually lingers and might even get more acute, or hinder your ability to think clearly. Radical acceptance is fully acknowledging the emotion—not necessarily condoning it or accepting the circumstances around it, but trying to look at it like a leaf on the surface of a lake. This is one small step towards accepting ourselves.   Mindfulness: Mindfulness helps us lighten our load and let go of feelings that might be weighing us down. Mindfulness is not trying to quiet the mind, but rather intentionally living with awareness in the present moment. One easy mindfulness exercise: sit quietly for 5 minutes. Make a sensory inventory, a short list of 2 items in each of the following categories: something you can smell, something you can hear, something you can taste, something you see, something you feel.   Listening to your body: Try to spend one day listening to exactly what your body is telling you. This can include: not settling an alarm in the morning, checking in several times a day for a few minutes to ask yourself what sensations you are feeling (hunger? Thirst? Do I feel hot or cold), or saying a few things to your body in the morning, such as the following:   I love you just the way you are. I thank you for all the things you’ve done for me throughout my life. I respect you for all the things you do for me daily.   Have a great Valentine’s Day!

Stress is a part of life, but it’s important to manage it appropriately. If stress levels remain high for long periods, it can turn into anxiety and end up impacting your physical and mental health. Identifying ways to de-stress allows you to take control of your emotions and remain healthy.  Are You Under Stress?  If you’re feeling a bit like you’re wound up tight, you’re not alone. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), stress levels are at an all-time high.  Almost half of adults (49%) say their behavior has changed in the current year in the form of: Increased muscle tension Getting angry quickly Raising their voice at a loved one Unexpected mood changes  Ways to Keep Stress in Check  You don’t have to accept high levels of stress. After all, stress releases hormones that cause a fight -or-flight response  — heartbeat speeds up, you start to sweat, your breathing changes — which may lead to emotional outbursts if left unmanaged. To keep stress to a minimum, follow some of the following stress management tips.  Get Some Exercise  The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) endorses exercise as an excellent medication-free way to deal with stress. By exercising, the body releases tension in the muscles, placing your body in a more relaxed state. Aerobic exercise, specifically, works well as an outlet for stress. Best of all, you don’t have to do Olympic-level training to get the benefits of exercise. According to the ADAA, a short brisk 10-minute walk is as effective as a 45-minute walk at getting rid of stress. Practice Mindfulness  Mindfulness comes in many forms. But, in short, it’s focused attention and acceptance. The concept of “mindfulness” is an umbrella term that includes a variety of ancient practices like tai chi, yoga, and I like Pilates. However, you can simply sit in a quiet spot and concentrate on a subject, accepting and releasing any thoughts that come to mind.  Set up Your Good Sleep Stress can keep you up at night. What’s worrisome is that a feedback loop can start, where insomnia causes stress and vice versa. Make sure to turn off electronics an hour before bed and set the atmosphere by dimming lights. Play your favorite soothing music or read a book instead. Preparing for bed puts the mind in the space to rest.  Watch Your Diet Caffeine and sugar are detrimental to a good night’s sleep. Drinking coffee after noon might keep your brain awake well into the night. Instead, opt for decaffeinated drinks that are low on sugar. In addition, sugary and fatty foods may feel like they’re reducing your stress, but instead, they contribute to it by causing health problems.  Find What Makes You Laugh When it comes to stress, laughter may be the best medicine. Laughing boosts healthy blood flow, releases “feel-good” hormones, and enhances your immunity. Call your funniest friend or watch a comedian when you’re stressed, and feel the tension melt away.  Take a Deep Breath  People say to “take a deep breath” for a good reason. The way we breathe affects how our body functions. Short breaths can cause you to feel stressed, while long breaths can lower blood pressure and reduce a fast heart rate. By taking deep breaths, you allow your body to relax. For example, a study published in Neurological Sciences determined that controlled deep breathing can improve mood, lower heart rate, and stress hormones levels in the body.  CalmiGo is an easy, portable, and medication-free way to guide your breathing and manage stress. Just 3 minutes gives you both immediate and long-term benefits. Start taking control of your stress and make CalmiGo a part of your “de-stressing” and relaxation routine. 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Month this May is “You Are Not Alone.” One in five adults experiences mental health illnesses each year, and finding effective treatments can be challenging. However, encouraging mental health awareness brings solutions to the forefront of the conversation, allowing people to choose what’s right for them.  Drug-Free Options for Mental Health  Just like our physical health, our mental health can benefit from treatments and lifestyle changes. Medication might be necessary for some mental health conditions. In these cases, a doctor may order prescription medication for anxiety or depression. Some people may choose natural anxiety medication instead. Treatment decisions are a personal choice and should be between you and your therapist or physician.  Not all mental health interventions need a prescription or a drug. The following are a few medication-free options that could work for you. Talk Therapy Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a variety of communication techniques. Most talk therapy occurs with a licensed mental health professional who helps a person identify and manage distressing feelings, thoughts, and behaviors — like how to calm anxiety or deal with anger.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on thinking and how it affects our emotions and behaviors. During CBT therapy, a licensed mental health professional works to help identify and change negative thinking patterns. CBT works well as a natural remedy for anxiety and depression because distorted thought processes often cause both.  EMDR and Brainspotting  Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and brainspotting both utilize eye movements to treat anxiety and trauma. Both use the neural networks in the brain to desensitize a person’s response to a distressing memory or trigger.   Meditation and Yoga When people discuss how to deal with anxiety naturally, meditation and yoga often enter into the conversation. It’s not surprising because research into both shows that they help with anxiety and depression.  Breathing Regulation  When it comes to breathing regulation, it’s the simplest practical method to manage emotions. Research into how to get rid of anxiety fast identifies breathing as a significant factor. Many other treatments — including yoga and meditation — involve controlled breathing as part of their methods. In short, using controlled breathing for anxiety and stress can have a tremendous impact on the body and mind.  CalmiGo However, changing the way you breathe may take some practice. Practice makes perfect, and anxiety breathing exercises can help you to regulate your breathing. If you feel like you could use some help, a device like CalmiGo can prompt you on how to breathe when you have anxiety. Recommended by healthcare professionals, CalmiGo uses multi-sensory prompts for breathing to help anxiety. The device can also decrease your heightened response to stress, relieving feelings of distress.  The best part about CalmiGo? You’re never alone. CalmiGo can be there for you whenever you need it. Small, portable, and convenient, it may just be the calming companion you’re looking for. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, you can get your own CalmiGo companion with a $30 discount using the discount code FORYOU30. Whether you use CalmiGo alongside other treatments or by itself, you’ll always have help at your fingertips. 

Seeing children struggle through anxiety is heartbreaking. We watch them become fearful, teary-eyed, and upset, wishing we knew how to help kids with anxiety. When a child is anxious, they explore their world less and can become insecure. We might ask ourselves, “What can I give my child for anxiety?” What is Anxiety?  For everyone, regardless of age, occasional anxiety is a normal part of everyday life. Anxiety is the feeling of panic, fear, or agitation that we feel in uncomfortable situations. The body’s natural “fight or flight” response kicks in during these times of stress, and our body reacts, the heart races, the skin sweats, and our breathing changes. In ideal situations, anxiety gives the body the energy to tackle stressful events. However, for anxiety in children and teens, it can become overwhelming when they don’t have the tools to cope.  Anxiety in Kids and Teens According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 7.1% of children between the ages of 3-17 years have anxiety. This number is up from 5.5% of children in the same age bracket in 2007. More children are suffering from anxiety than before.  Uncontrolled anxiety can lead to panic attacks. When anxiety turns into panic attacks, kids can start to worry about another panic attack and become more anxious, which creates a vicious cycle. Anxiety in kids, if left unmanaged, can affect a child well into adulthood. As adults, uncontrolled anxiety can affect their work performance, lifetime earning potential, and personal relationships. Anxiety can diminish self-confidence.  For kids and teens, anxiety can accompany other disorders like depression and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), making their condition worse. For example, about 73.8% of children with depression also have anxiety. Anxiety in children and teens can lead to poor grades, behavioral problems, and can impact social skills.  Signs of Anxiety in Kids and Teens  The signs of anxiety may be different from young children than it is for older children and adolescents. Young children, for instance, may not have adequate verbal skills to express their anxiety to their caregivers. A teen’s anxiety may be harder to notice, and they may be unsure or ashamed of their anxiety. Because children may not approach caregivers about their feelings, caregivers need to recognize the signs of anxiety. Spotting anxiety is the first step in how to treat children with anxiety.  Signs of Anxiety in Kids (General):  Changes in sleep habits Increased clinginess toward caregivers Complain about stomach upset or other physical aches Become oppositional or have frequent outbursts Fidgety or restless behaviors Inattentiveness or scattered-thinking Signs of Anxiety in Teens:  Mood swings Declining academic performance Fewer interactions with friends Declining extracurricular activities Spending more time alone than usual Protecting Kids and Teens from Anxiety  As a well-meaning parent, it can be tough to watch a child struggle with anxiety. We want their world to be filled with happiness and security, and anxiety seems to be the opposite of that. So, we find ourselves helping our children avoid the things that make them anxious. Shielding a child from sources of anxiety can feel like the right thing to do, but it’s not how to help a child with anxiety. It doesn’t result in calm kids. It results in fearful and insecure children.  Unfortunately, eliminating all sources of anxiety is not only impossible, but it doesn’t allow children to manage anxiety on their own. Teaching a child how to tolerate and function well, despite their anxiety, is the ideal route. The truth is life will throw children challenges and disappointments, especially when they’re adults. How they learn to react to the stresses of life can make all the difference.  Managing Anxiety the Natural Way Finding natural remedies for anxiety in children can be a challenging process. Even natural supplements can have adverse effects on a child’s growing brain and body. Holistic therapies like mindfulness and meditation do work, but young children may not have the developmental abilities to perform them successfully.  Deciding the best way to find calm for kid-anxiety and adolescents can be frustrating. Do you keep asking yourself, “What can I give my child for anxiety?” Perhaps the question should be: What can you teach your child to control their anxiety? If you wonder how to treat teen anxiety or calm anxious kids, the key is through teaching them how to cope with stress and anxiety. There are a few steps parents can take to help make anxiety much more manageable -- without the use of medications.  Create Calm with Visualization When it comes to anxiety, children have one edge that many adults do not -- a vivid imagination. Children can use their imagination as a “superpower” to combat stress and anxiety. The same imagination they use to transport themselves into space or their dollhouses can also create a relaxing space for themselves.  Using the power of imagination decreases anxiety in children. Relaxing a child through guided visualizations teaches children how to manage anxiety on their own. When a child is feeling anxious, ask them to close their eyes, and imagine themselves in any of the following areas:  Their favorite, calming space. Ask them to describe how the environment looks, smells slowly, and how the objects in the space feel to the touch.  Boxing their worries. Have them imagine a box or container to put their worries in. Have them assign different colors for their worries, and place those colors into the box (and closing the lid) when anxiety starts to take over.  Turn anxiety into dough or clay. Ask them to visualize their worries as dough or clay. Imagine slowly rolling their worries into a ball in their hand and “smooshing” the form until they feel better.  Calm Kids through Progressive Muscle Relaxation  Teens and kids will find progressive muscle relaxation fun and calming at the same time. Through progressive relaxation, tension is consciously released from the muscles, which conditions the mind and muscles to calm down.  Progressive muscle relaxation works best when lying down but can be accomplished while sitting or standing. Ask a child to tense their toes for 5 seconds, then relax them for 30 seconds. Repeat with each muscle group and work their way up to the fingertips and to the tops of their head.  When performed before bedtime or naps, progressive muscle relaxation can calm kids down and lead to a more restful sleep. Challenge Negative Thoughts Anxiety comes from a negative thought process. Anxiety doesn’t mean that a child is a “negative” child or that something is “wrong.” It simply means that their mind may be focused on the negative aspects of a situation without the child’s awareness. Identifying and dealing with these thoughts can be the first step in how to treat kids with anxiety.  Catch the negative thought. Help them make a short list of negative thoughts they might have. These thoughts are typically the cause of a child’s anxieties.  Challenge negative thoughts by looking for evidence. Like a scientist or a detective, ask the child to gather evidence to support their negative thought. For instance, their negative thought may be  “There are monsters in my room at night.” Validate their emotions, but not the monsters. Look for evidence with your child that the monsters exist. Take a flashlight and look for monsters. Be a detective and take notes. Evidence will point to the fact that monsters don’t exist. Change the thought. When it’s been determined that there is no evidence behind their negative thoughts, change the thought. Instead of focusing on monsters, focus on the positive. “My room is a happy and safe spot.”  Focus on the Positive The strength to persevere and be resilient comes from having hope and managing stress. Children and teens are still developing their ability to adapt to the world around them. This age is an ideal time to teach them how to deal with anxiety by tackling the negative thoughts that occur with anxiety. There are activities you can show to help a child with anxiety focus on the positive in their life.  Establish visual representations of their positive thoughts that they can routinely add to. A bulletin board where they can write affirmations, positive life events, or positive thoughts can boost their spirits and calm anxiety.  Create a journal where they can write about positive life events, what they’ve been able to overcome, and any positive thoughts they may have. Developing positive thinking in teens and children fosters resilience to stress and anxiety in the long run. they can  Calming Kids though Breathing Regulation When children, or people of any age, experience anxiety, our breathing changes. During stressful situations, we hyperventilate — which gives the body too much oxygen and not enough CO2. We can start to experience lightheadedness and a rapid heartbeat. For children and teens, this experience can easily feel frightening and overwhelming, leading to more anxiety.  By teaching a child to control their breathing, it offers them a sense of control over their anxiety. It also establishes a lifelong ability to manage their anxiety and conquer their fears. Through breathing regulation, you can find how to help a child with anxiety.  A simple and effective way to help a child learn breathing control is through CalmiGo. CalmiGo’s breathing regulation system is backed by research and proven to show results. Through its three stress-relief methods: Breathing Regulation, Relaxing Scents, Multi-Sensory Stimulation, CalmiGo provides quick relief from anxiety. Not only that, but CamiGo also adapts to your child’s individual breathing patterns, allowing them to become familiar with their natural breathing style.  Calm Kids Equal Confident Kids!  Parents can’t eliminate all the sources of anxiety for a child, but children can learn how to manage anxiety. Establishing healthy ways to control stress and develop resilience creates calm for kids.  Knowing they can manage their anxiety on their own helps a child feel more secure. Security leads to calm children, and calm children are much more self-confident! Able to tackle whatever the world throws at them, a secure child grows into a self-assured adult.

Being a hero is not easy, and it can be a lonely experience. Our veterans are exposed to violent or traumatic events, and the memory of these situations can haunt them for years afterward. Even the constant threat of being suddenly placed in a position of danger can eventually wear on a serviceperson's emotions, causing them to develop anxiety or depression. Helping our Heroes: Veterans and PTSD When our veterans return to life outside of the military, the adjustment can be exceptionally challenging. Though loving family members and supportive friends may surround veterans, they may be unable to understand the tremendous stress or traumatic memories a veteran experiences. These memories can cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: About 11 and 20% of veterans who served in Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have PTSD. About 12% of military members who served in the Gulf War struggle with PTSD. About 15% of Vietnam veterans are currently diagnosed with PTSD, and 30% of Vietnam veterans have experienced PTSD in their lifetime. What is PTSD? PTSD is a psychiatric condition that occurs when people are exposed to stressful and traumatic events, like a car accident, abuse, sexual violence, or -- in the case of veterans -- war and combat situations. People who have PTSD experience intensely distressing thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares related to traumatic events. The symptoms of PTSD include: Recurrent and intrusive memories of the event. Having flashbacks of the event as if it were happening over again. Persistent nightmares or insomnia. Physical reactions such as vomiting or sweating when faced with a reminder of the event. Avoidance of talking, thinking, or activities that may be reminders of the event. Blank memories about aspects of the event. Feeling detached from family, friends, and activities that used to be interesting and enjoyable. Easily startled, fearful, and a consistent feeling of danger. Distracted and difficulty maintaining attention or finishing tasks. Angry, hostile, or irritable behavior. A high level of guilt or shame. Suicidal thoughts Why Does PTSD Occur? Traumatic events trigger the "flight-or-fight" response in the brain, which helps humans fight against danger. This flight-or-fight response releases chemicals in the brain and body. In some situations, repeated triggers of the fight-or-flight response change the brain's chemistry, making the brain and body much more susceptible to stress. It's important to remember that each person is different -- veterans included. Not every person who experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD. And PTSD does not happen due to a failure or inability in the person diagnosed with it. Each person's background and genetic makeup is unique, and the effects of trauma can play out differently in each person. How Can We Help Our Heroes? The best way to support veterans with PTSD is to help them develop resilience. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), resilience is the process of being able to "bounce back" from traumatic experiences. Helping veterans strengthen their resilience before, during, and after their service can help prevent and heal PTSD. This includes assisting them with new ways to manage their stress. CamiGo's Smart Companion can offer anyone trying to overcome PTSD a way to manage their anxiety. Our handheld device is small enough to carry in a pocket or pouch, providing a convenient and effective way to manage the stress associated with PTSD.

If you’d like to help your child feel a little less anxious, getting a furry friend might just do the trick. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), which studies the interaction between humans and animals, animals do more for us than provide companionship. Research funded or conducted through HABRI found that animals can help reduce anxiety and provide comfort in stressful situations.  The Pet Effect HABRI calls the benefits of having a pet the “Pet Effect.”  Stress is caused by the "fight or flight" response deep in our brains, which raises blood pressure and heart rate. Pets slow down the stress response, quickly returning the body to its normal state. Being around pets can also boost positive emotions, decrease loneliness, and create a sense of well being. Especially for children, the Pet Effect can have lifelong benefits.  The Pet Effect and Children Because children are still learning how to manage the world around them, their positive coping skills aren’t as established as adults are. Minor stressors can loom large in their heads and easily overwhelm them. Having a pet allows children to feel less anxiety by serving as an emotional buffer and offering companionship. Studies show that children who have a pet in their home are less likely to show symptoms of stress than those who did not. Perhaps this is because children ages 7-8 are more likely to see the family pet as providers of comfort and social confidence. Offering Comfort Although the family dog might feel like a big, furry ball of upkeep to the adults in the adults in the household, to children they offer a whole different world. Children, especially those at a younger age, see the family pet as their peer. The relationship they develop with their pet contains different boundaries, making them more likely to turn to pets in times of stress. A snuggle or cuddle with the family dog also promotes oxytocin in the body, which causes feelings of bonding and a sense of well-being. For children experience stress from loss or change, having a pet in the home can serve as an emotional anchor. Pets can offer children stability in the face of adversity.  Social Confidence For a child, the family dog or cat helps them experience the world in new ways. They engage with and watch the family pet, learning things about their environment along the way. The family pet encourages children to explore and problem solve, which gives them the confidence to adapt to new situations. Pets also promote engagement with others, teaching children how to navigate social situations and reduce their fear of novel experiences.  Emotional Support Animals For children who suffer from severe anxiety, the family pet can also serve as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). If a healthcare professional finds an animal to be a vital part of a child’s treatment for anxiety, and they recommend the animal as part of a child’s treatment plan, then an animal may become an ESA. A licensed healthcare professional must write a letter stating the animal is a necessary part of the child’s treatment plan, allowing the ESA to travel and live with the child in areas where pets aren’t typically allowed.  In addition to the family pet, CalmiGo can also assist your child in managing feelings of stress and anxiety. A multi-sensory,  medication-free way to alleviate stress, CalmiGo can travel anywhere with you and your child. 

There’s a lot to love about the fall season. Longer nights spent sleeping in crisp, cool weather. The changing colors. The upcoming holiday season. It’s those very same factors, however, that lead some people to feel autumn anxiety.  What is Autumn Anxiety?  Autumn anxiety occurs annually during the fall season. Unlike most other types of anxiety, autumn anxiety’s triggers are difficult to pinpoint. Researchers believe that this anxiety stems from a variety of factors, all relating to the fall season.  It’s easy to see why autumn anxiety can occur. As the days shorten and the nights become longer, the body has to adjust quickly. Just as the body adjusts to this change in schedule, the school year begins and new issues get thrown into the mix. People who work may have little ones starting a new grade or older kids going away to college. Preparing for the winter and the upcoming holidays also add additional stress.  There’s also an element of grief to autumn anxiety. Especially for people who enjoyed a relaxing summer with great memories, the end to the fun can cause sadness and loss. Saying good-bye to summer friends, letting go of college bound adolescents, and experiencing an emptier home can add to autumn anxiety. Another theory about autumn anxiety is that it is linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Autumn anxiety could be the body’s way of anticipating the feelings of SAD.  Tips to Conquer Autumn Anxiety Autumn anxiety doesn’t have to ruin your fall season. You can help manage your autumn anxiety using the following tips. Embrace Something New It may be the changes in the fall season that are affecting your mood. Rather than feel a lack of control about those changes, create your own changes instead. Start a new hobby, get a pet, cut your hair, or do some redecorating. Sometimes shaking things up on your own terms can keep autumn anxiety at bay.  Embracing something new also helps to overcome grief or loss. After you’ve acknowledged your sadness, cultivating new hobbies or new experiences can lift your spirits.  Be Where the Light Is Make use of what light is available, and spend as much time outdoors as you can. This can stave off the sadness that can come with the longer nights. Another option is to purchase a light therapy box. These types of lamps combat the seasonal changes in light that can affect some people’s mood and energy. They come with various settings and strengths, and can simulate the rising sun to keep you feeling energized. Sometimes, just 30 minutes a day in front of a light therapy box is all some people need to feel rejuvenated and less anxious.  Reframe Your View  Reframing negative thoughts and experiences isn’t just good for autumn anxiety, it’s a great way to manage life’s stresses. The anticipation of holiday stress and having to deal with changes can overwhelm your thoughts. Rather than let the anxiety dominate your way of thinking, reframe your negative thoughts.  For example, you may yearn for the summer sun and warm weather. Instead, focus on the benefits of the cooler weather. Think, “I can wear my comfy sweaters and cool boots.” Or , “I can snuggle up under a warm comforter.” Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of the fall season, emphasize the positives.  Calming Your Fall Anxiety Sometimes, you may need a little help to manage your autumn anxiety. CalmiGo’s scented elements and adaptive breathing technology is a drug free way to manage your feelings of anxiety. Vibration feedback and lights provide a multi-sensory experience to effortlessly regulate your breathing and soothe your sense. Try CalmiGo and discover what it can do for you. 

You probably still remember the worst nightmare you’ve had as a child. Nightmares are so disturbing that people remember them years after they’ve ended. Whether your nightmare was about monsters or people, it doesn’t change how terrifying they were. The mind can be deeply affected by nightmares in such a way that it can impact our sleep cycle.  Nightmares don’t just happen to little children. Adults can experience nightmares, too, and they are just as terrifying for adults as for small children. These distressing dreams often lead to waking at night and can create anxiety about returning to sleep. Nightmares also impact our moods the next morning, bringing fear and stressful emotions into the waking day. Because nightmares make us groggy and affect our emotions, our work and family life can suffer. Nightmares and the lack of sleep that come with them aggravate mental health concerns that are already present, like depression and anxiety.  Battling Your Nightmares If nightmares are impacting the sleep of you or your child, these strategies may help:  Curb Your Alcohol and Sleep Medication Intake Some people use alcohol as a way to calm their nerves, but it’s not the best method to fall asleep. Alcohol can disrupt your sleep cycle and keep you from entering the most restorative part of sleep. Then, the next time you fall asleep without alcohol, the nightmares may be even worse. Sleep medications may also cause nightmares. For this reason, ask your doctor if you should adjust your sleep medication if your nightmares become a problem. Stick to a Regular Sleep Schedule  If you’re having nightmares, you may try to avoid falling asleep to keep from experiencing them. Unfortunately, by avoiding sleep, you may be making your nightmares worse. When you don’t get enough REM sleep (the stage where dreaming occurs), you can experience a rebound effect the next time you sleep. As a result, your next full night’s sleep may be filled with more prolonged and intense nightmares.  Wake Up from Nightmares with a Plan Don’t let your nightmare go on longer than it needs to. If you don’t wake up entirely from a nightmare, you might fall back right into it when you return to sleep. Instead, set up a routine to make sure you’re fully awake. Get up and drink some water or use the restroom, then you can fall back asleep.  Create an Alternate Ending  Establish power over your nightmare and create an alternate ending. Write down your nightmare, in as much detail as you can remember, and give it an alternate ending that doesn’t end traumatically. Replay this ending in your head over and over, training your brain to follow a different path.  Creating Calm It’s important not to go to bed with an anxious mind. Creating a soothing sleep routine can help keep nightmares away, and CalmiGo can help. CalmiGo incorporates all the senses, activating your nervous system, and creating mind-body relaxation, releasing anxious feelings. Make CalmiGo a part of your nighttime routine, and keep your sleep free from nightmares. 

The human brain is hard-wired to spot a melody or repetitive tune within a jumble of noise. We gravitate to harmonious sounds. Our celebrations, rituals, and even our worship contains variations of music or chanting. From the beginning, almost every culture has had some form of music as a significant part of their social system. Whether used for storytelling, spirituality or socializing, music remains a vital part of our physical and emotional health.  Music and Your Body The American Music Therapy Association recognizes music as a treatment intervention for various mental and physical disorders. Music’s therapeutic effects can strengthen the body and provide an outlet for expression. Research shows that music affects the human brain in ways that can change our mood and impact our health.  The immune system gets a boost from listening to music. More antibodies, the cells that kill invading viruses and bacteria, are produced in the immune system when music is played. The rest of the body also reaps benefits from hearing tunes. Music helps the heart, for example, because it can:   Lower blood pressure.  Relax blood vessels, which allows for more oxygen throughout the body.  Improve the survival rate for people who have had heart attacks.  Music and Your Mind Music also influences your emotions. Music reduces the level of cortisol in the body, the hormone that leads to stress. And because music can affect the heart, you can lower your heart rate, reducing your anxiety.  Although certified Music Therapists are available for treatment, you can also reward yourself with music therapy in your home. Here are a few tips to help you utilize music for your well-being.  Make a playlist of soothing songs. Take note of which songs help to relax your mind and keep you calm. List them and download them onto a playlist. When you feel angry, stressed, or frightened, the playlist can be your go-to site for music therapy. Just pop on some headphones, lie down, close your eyes, and let the music do its job. Looking for ideas? Check out Billboard’s Top 25 most relaxing songs.  Use music for the right occasion. You may like heavy metal music, but it may not be the best thing to listen to when you want to lighten the mood. The songs that power you through a workout may not be the same songs that you use to power you down for the night. The music that best suits the occasion might help to get you into the right frame of mind. Remember, music affects your body and your mind.  Taste different flavors. Try new forms of music, instead of staying with the familiar genre you prefer. If you like country music, try out some classical piano. If you find yourself only listening to rap music, you can start listening to movie scores or musicals once in awhile. Opening yourself up to new experiences can help relieve tension, and music is an easy way to do so. Apps like Spotify and Pandora can expand your musical horizons with minimal searching.  Learn to play an instrument or sing. Playing music and signing lights up different parts of our brains. Energizing your mind by learning music can reinvigorate you.  Music and Self-Soothing Add music as one of the tools in your self-care toolbox. Another addition is CalmiGo. You can use CalmiGo while you listen to relaxing music. CalmiGo adapts to your breathing patterns, helping you achieve a state of calm. Just play some relaxing tunes and follow CalmiGo’s breathing feedback, and you’re on your way to tranquility.  

The fall is typically a flurry of back-to-school errands. These include shopping and coordinating schedules. Attached to it all is an elevated bit of stress. Add that to the sadness that comes with summer’s end, and it’s no wonder that many kids experience back-to-school anxiety. This year adds a new layer tension. With the COVID-19 infection control issue, there are more problems to resolve. Tips for Back-to-School Anxiety Whether your child is distance-learning or starting in-person classes, the following are some tips to help you through back-to-school anxiety. Model Calmness Kids are much more emotionally attuned to us that we know. That’s why it’s important to display calm and reassurance, because kids tend to mirror how the adults around them feel. Don’t use your kids to bounce your worries off of. If you’re feeling anxious, make sure you calm yourself before speaking with your kids. You want to remember crises are important teaching moments. Your kids are going to have learned things from the pandemic, like how to manage big changes and crises. You want them to learn calm resilience. You don’t want them to walk away from this fearing the world. Provide Structure Structure and boundaries make a parent’s life easier, but it also benefits kids. Whether they realize it or not, kids prefer structure, especially in times of crises. Having predictability in an unpredictable world provides a sense of comfort. For children who are going to be in school, teach them routines regarding infection control. For instance, practice when to put on masks, when to take them off, and how to wash their hands. For young children, make it as fun and as light as possible.  If your child is distance-learning, find out their schedule and practice logging on and off. Set aside a dedicated area in the home, if possible, for them to attend “school.” Create a schedule for getting dressed, eating breakfast, and brushing teeth. Find a Balance Providing your kids reassurance is essential, but too much can be detrimental. According to the Child Mind Institute, giving children too much reassurance prevents them from developing their own self-soothing tools. They become accustomed to hearing that everything will be fine, and may become more anxious when they see events take a turn for the worse. Instead, emphasize the things they can do to help themselves — like washing hands and wearing a mask. Ask them about their worries and give them the tools they need to handle problems they might encounter. Get Assistance  If your child is experiencing overwhelming anxiety, you may want to seek professional help. Teletherapy and telepsychiatry options are available everywhere and are shown to be effective. Helping your child through this especially tough period may take some assistance, and it’s at the tip of your fingers through technology. Another way technology can manage anxiety is through CalmiGo. CalmiGo’s feedback lights and vibration breathing guide is a medication-free way to help settle back-to-school anxiety. Safe for children, CalmiGo can be the tool your child needs to adjust to the 2020 school year.  

A packed concert venue. A subway car at rush hour. A Black Friday shopping frenzy. If these scenes make you feel anxious and afraid, you’re not alone. A fear of crowds, called ochlophobia or enochlophobia, is a type of social anxiety. Crowd Anxiety: You’re Not Alone  According to the National Institutes of Health, 9.1% of adults in the U.S. have suffered from a specific fear, also known as a phobia, within the past year. A little over 12% of adults will experience a type of phobia within their lifetime. Although phobias are common, there are a wide variety of them. A fear of crowds is just one of the many types of phobias, but it can be extremely debilitating. You may be able to avoid crowds if you live in a rural area and rarely travel. For most of the population, though, that lifestyle isn’t possible. Keeping away from crowds might mean refusing to attend work events, not going to school, or withdrawing from social gatherings. If you live in the city, it may be even more difficult. In a large city, crowds often gather spontaneously (to watch a busker) or routinely (on subways or bars). Trying to stay away from crowds may become a full-time pre-occupation, creating tension in relationships and work or school. How to Manage Your Crowd Anxiety If you start to experience an irrational fear of crowds, the following are a few things you can do to manage and overcome your fear. Start Small  You could spend your time avoiding crowds altogether, but it’s not practical and it may even make your fear worse. What you can do is try to overcome your fear slowly by starting small. You can begin by meeting with people in small groups. These groups should be small enough not to trigger your fear, but large enough to cause some discomfort. As you become comfortable in a certain group size, move onto a slightly larger group and attempt to get used to the larger size...and so on. It may take awhile, but slowly taking yourself out of your comfort zone can help to manage irrational fears. Cut Out Stimulants Your body responds to anxious feelings by increasing your blood pressure and heart rate. Unfortunately, stimulants like caffeine (in coffee and sodas) or ephedrine (in cold medicines) can cause the same bodily response, making your anxiety worse. Cutting out caffeine can help prevent your body and mind from overreacting to crowded situations. Be Mindful and Breathe When encountering a crowd, practice mindfulness or visualization techniques. Focus on your presence in the moment to stay grounded. You can also visualize yourself in a safe space, free from worry. Pick a location that makes you feel peaceful and play that image in your mind — in detail — when your fear crops up. Relaxing your body by using breathing techniques is another effective method to soothe your fears. Used on its own or with mindfulness or visualization, structured breathing patterns can calm the body and the mind. If you’re looking for something simple and effective to help practice your breathing technique, CalmiGo’s feedback device is an excellent choice. CalmiGo’s compact design and scented elements are specially made to make relaxation easy and convenient. The next time you find yourself anxious and in a crowd, give CalmiGo a try.

According to a 2015 survey, the American Psychological Association (APA) reported 72% of Americans felt some level of stress about money. In these uncertain times, that level is surely even higher. Unfortunately, stress about money can affect a person’s family life, work performance, and even their health.   Although financial stress may be legitimate, especially if you’ve suffered a loss of income, worrying about money doesn’t help solve the situation. It often makes it worse. If you’re experiencing money stress, the following are a few  tips to help you manage your emotions and get your anxiety about money under control. Quit Comparing Yourself to Others Instagram and Facebook have curated accounts. People we know —and sometimes we don’t know— post their best photos and try to show their best sides. We don’t see their adversities and limitations. Instead, we might feel as if we are struggling while others are living the good life.   All too often, we forget to appreciate what we do have. We see what others have and want that instead. This desire to keep up and compare lives with others can lead to stress about our finances. The best thing to do is to forget about what others have and concentrate on the positives in your life. Be kinder to yourself. Face Your Finances Resist the temptation to hide your head in the sand. The more you know about your finances, the better you will feel. Take an assertive stance with your budget. You can take control by learning about ways to save and grow your money. You can’t learn to negotiate with credit card companies to lower your interest rates if you don’t know how much you owe. Take a thorough and comprehensive look at the money you have and where it goes. Discuss Your Financial Difficulties  Many people would rather talk about their health than discuss their personal money matters. However, keeping financial needs secret only adds to the anxiety. Rather than treating financial struggles as a situation, it’s often treated as a personal defect attached to a stigma. Talking about financial challenges can open up avenues of assistance. It can also help others realize their own struggles. Talking about money stress can come in the form of whatever you’re comfortable with. You can ask advice from someone who you know is good with money. A financial advisor can also help you address stress and finances. A counselor or psychologist can also provide you with an objective ear for you to speak with. Get Assistance  If money stress is affecting you and your family’s basic needs, you can turn to government assistance and non-profits. Although you may not need any assistance in the long run, just knowing where to find it and that they are available can give you peace of mind. Stress and Money Money does not make you happy. Although it does impact your quality of life, money isn’t what makes you feel happiness. If that were true, everyone in the financially rich 1% would always be happy, and that is not the case! Taking control of your finances, being honest about money, and understanding money’s limitations can curb your anxiety about money.

Wearing a Face Mask Although we typically associate masks with healthcare, there are other scenarios where masks are required. Face masks are worn in many industries under various situations. For example, in laboratories or metal working sites, masks are often required as part of the job. Janitorial staff, factory workers, and even painters must all use face masks at one time or another. Unfortunately, for some people wearing masks can trigger anxiety, called “mask anxiety.” Very often, those with mask anxiety have underlying problems like claustrophobia or generalized anxiety. Still, even people who don’t have claustrophobia can suffer from mask anxiety. Mask anxiety can become an issue in times when masks are required, perhaps for work, health, or safety. Tips on Managing Mask Anxiety If you have trouble wearing a mask, the following are a few tips to help you through. Acknowledge Your Anxiety Just the conditions under which a face mask might be required can make you anxious. For instance, undergoing radiologic treatments for cancer is already a stressful situation. Having to use a mask can make the stress worse, causing mask anxiety. The first thing to do is recognize and understand why you feel anxious. A mask can be a reminder of stressful situations. You may also be misinterpreting  physical changes of evidence of danger — even when they are not. Masks can feel hot and restrictive, which give the illusion of breathing difficulty. Even though a mask is safe to use, it can trigger the fight-or-flight response which causes mask anxiety. It helps to acknowledge and understand how you are feeling, in order to control your emotions. Reassure Yourself You can remind yourself that face masks are safe. Although you may be more conscious of your breathing because air can be felt inside the mask, you still have adequate airflow. Face masks are made to allow for safe airflow around the mouth and nose. Research shows that face masks do not affect oxygen levels. Face masks are meant to keep solids and liquids out (like viruses, bacteria, and droplets) but commonly used face masks don’t keep out gases. And gases are what we use to breathe. Practice Wearing a Mask Even doctors and nurses, who wear masks almost every day, may experience mask anxiety when they first start wearing them. Eventually, however, the body and mind gets familiar with wearing a face mask and the anxiety subsides. You can try wearing a face mask for brief periods at home. Keep adding to the length of time until you become comfortable enough in the mask. Your mind and body can build up tolerance towards mask use. Over time, you’ll become more familiar with the feeling of having something over your face, and you’ll have less anxiety. Concentrate on Your Breathing  When you’re anxious, your breathing can become shallow and fast. Or you may find yourself holding your breath for long periods. In either case, you can make yourself feel more anxious. Instead, concentrate on breathing deeply from your belly. CalmiGo can assist you with this process. If you feel anxious wearing a mask, you can use CalmiGo to focus on your breathing. Take a short break away from others, remove your mask, and use CalmiGo to guide your breathing and soothe your anxiety. With CalmiGo, you can face your mask anxiety. 

The Weather Influences Our Mood The weather can affect our mental health in more ways than we realize. We’re all aware of the winter doldrums, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). During the winter, some people feel depressed and moody. Although thought to be caused by the lack of sun during colder seasons, SAD can also occur in the summertime.  It’s not hard to imagine how the summer heat can change our mood. Being sweaty and uncomfortable can make anyone cranky. Sitting in a hot car, doing yard work under the sun, and humid summer evenings can raise blood pressure and increase the chances of dehydration.  There’s research to indicate that the summer heat can influence our mood. A 2019 article published in the Psychiatric Times, emphasized the need for mental health professionals to be aware of a possible increase in anxiety and mood disorders as global warming raises planet temperatures. According to the article, one standard deviation of temperature increase can heighten feelings of stress and anger. The Psychiatric Times emphasized the need to increase awareness of the possibility of increased stress due to higher temperatures. Also, patients who suffer from anxiety or panic disorders may be vulnerable to temperature changes. A study published in the journal Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences found that patients with panic disorder may be more sensitive to the weather and other external factors than the general population. Tips for Avoiding Summer Stress The summer sun can increase feelings of anxiety. Fortunately, there are a few tips we can use to keep ourselves from submitting to summer stress! Keep It Cool  It seems like a no brainer, but we can forget to cool off. The planet is warming, and the summer heat that we could tolerate fifteen years ago isn’t the same. Remember to stay in the shade, remain near a fan or in air conditioning, and consume cold food and beverages. Every little bit of temperature change helps, so small modifications can keep you from losing your cool.  Stay Hydrated The summer sun can wreak havoc on our hydration. Especially if you live in a dry area, you may not feel your perspiration on your skin. Even if you’re not visibly perspiring, water loss can still occur in dry heat. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink water. Often, our body is already mildly dehydrated when its thirst mechanism kicks in. Even mild dehydration can cause mood changes and affect how well we think. Drink often and stay hydrated to avoid summer stress. Pay Attention to Your Body’s Cues Your body provides natural cues to indicate when it’s not managing the heat very well. Besides feeling thirsty and hot, physical signs of too much sun can be shortness of breath, nausea, and an increased heart rate. Some mental cues your body might have is irritability, tiredness, restlessness, or an increase in anxious thoughts. When you start to notice these signs, take the opportunity to find a cool, quiet space to relax and power down. Managing Summer Stress Anxiety and other emotions might rise in the heat, but you don’t have to let it ruin your summer fun. Making a conscious effort to cool off, avoid dehydration, and calm yourself can keep the anxiety at bay. CalmiGo can help you get through the summer stress. CalmiGo’s feedback lights and vibration breathing guide can help you become -- and remain -- anxiety-free. With CalmiGo, you can enjoy your summer without the stress.

We often find ourselves lost in thought during the day, reliving memories and wondering about our lives. These are called daydreams. Although daydreams are magical and comforting, they don't help us meet our goals. There's a method that's a bit like daydreaming that can help us better ourselves. It's called positive visualization. What is Positive Visualization? Positive visualization is a “mental rehearsal” in your mind. It’s a focused daydream about doing the steps you need to take to achieve your goals.  Very often, our minds tend to amplify the obstacles in or path. We then hone in on those obstacles and feel defeated. Positive visualization is the opposite. It teaches your mind to spotlight positive outcomes and overcome barriers. Here are a few ways that positive visualization is more than a daydream. Boosts Self-Confidence Unlike a daydream, where we can drift off anywhere, positive visualization asks that we stick to a script. We imagine ourselves in our minds, taking the steps we need to improve ourselves. By seeing ourselves having and doing the things we need to succeed, we feel more confident in ourselves. And the more confident we become, the more likely we will be to make the decisions we need to make in real life to succeed. Improves Your Focus Visualizing the same things over and over will improve your focus. When you calm your mind to visualize, you teach your brain to focus. You'll find that your attention span will grow even when you're performing other activities because you're exercising your brain's ability to stick to one subject. Hope and Inspiration Positive visualization keeps you from feeling defeated and hopeless. Instead of feeling sad and worn, positive visualization can energize and inspire you. By allowing yourself to imagine success, you're less likely to give up. How to Perform Positive Visualization Positive visualization can work for any goal. Whether you need to run a marathon, overcome a fear, or learn to play the guitar--positive visualization is a convenient tool to help you get to where you want to be. To visualize, imagine yourself taking steps to meet your goal. The more accurate and real the details are, the better. What you're doing is simulating the experience in your head. You can picture yourself adeptly performing the tasks, and succeeding. Don't forget to add emotion to your visualization. See yourself feeling calm and taking control of the situation. Imagine conquering the roadblocks that can come in your way. It's essential to use the same format and scenarios so that your brain can develop "muscle memory" regarding the challenges. Positive Visualization as Part of Your Toolbox Positive visualization is not a replacement for practice, determination, and hard work. It is, however, an essential part of the tools you need to meet your goals. If you find yourself struggling with self-doubt and lacking motivation, positive visualization can help spark your fire. If you’re having trouble calming yourself enough to visualize, you can give CalmiGo a try. Using CalmiGo to pattern your breathing and center your thoughts can help you visualize more effectively. Combining CalmiGo with positive visualization might help you accomplish your goals in no time!

When Willpower Isn’t Enough We’ve all been there. There are activities we don’t want to do, but we should do. Unfortunately, it’s a challenge to find the momentum to start the activity, much less complete it. For example, our daily dose of exercise may not be something we look forward to. We may find ourselves using every excuse not to exercise, but we understand that exercise makes us healthier. Yet, we still don’t do it as often as we should. Do you sometimes feel like your willpower is fighting against a brick wall? It is. It’s fighting against your mind. We postpone. We procrastinate. Even our willpower can’t make us do it. In these cases, training your mind is easier than pushing against it. The following are three methods to use when willpower is not enough. Three Ways to Do Something You Don’t Want to Do Find A New Frame for Your Thoughts We can get caught in a negative thought pattern and not know it. Focusing on all the negative aspects of exercise will not encourage you to exercise the next time. Telling yourself that you hate exercising only diminishes the likelihood that you’ll exercise. If there’s something you need to do, but you don’t want to do it—you may want to change the way you think of that activity.  Instead of focusing on the negative aspects, find positives about the activity to hold in your thoughts. Reframe your thoughts by choosing to concentrate on the positive parts of the activity. Think Outside the Box It’s okay to change your plans, as long as the result is the same. All too often, we lose creativity on the way to our goals. Then, we become disappointed when the one path we carved out doesn’t lead to achievement. If you don’t like exercising, then don’t exercise! At least, not in the way you dislike. Exercise doesn’t have to be at the gym or a studio. Find something you enjoy that gets your muscles moving and your heart pumping. Do you like to dance? Can you do a brisk walk around the neighborhood? Get creative and change your approach. You might find yourself looking forward to exercise! See Yourself Doing the Activity See yourself performing the activity and looking happy. Visualize yourself starting the day and then engaging in the activity. Imagine enjoying it. Allow yourself to imagine overcoming any problems or issues. Picture being content and proud of yourself afterward. Imagining yourself performing the task makes the activity less overwhelming. Thoughts and Emotions Our thoughts can impact how we engage with the world around us. Concentrating on negative thoughts can prevent us from performing — and enjoying — some activities.  Our minds often pick up what we teach, so we should be extra careful about the narratives we tell ourselves. With CalmiGo, you can take a few deep breaths and practice visualizing your goals. CalmiGo can help manage your thoughts and emotions—helping you to do the things you need to do!

Everyone has a different definition for what they feel a “crisis” is. Depending on your age, circumstance, and priorities a crisis can mean many things. We all undergo our own crises — but there are common tools we can use no matter what that crisis may be. The following are five tools to manage a crisis — for every age. Use Your Assessment Skills Any first responder will tell you that they are taught to “assess the situation” once they arrive on a scene. This tactic can apply to any crisis. Even the type of crises that don’t require first responders! Our tendency at the start of any crisis is to panic. If we redirect that anxiety into assessing our situation, we can get a better idea of what we need to do to get out of it. This means taking a look around and taking stock of what’s really happening. Seek Help Once you’ve made a thorough assessment of your problems, you can seek help. Depending on the crisis you have on your hands, this could mean anything from asking your spouse to help with more housework to calling 9-1-1. Seeking help can also mean using resources such as mental health professionals or counselors. Sometimes, we delay asking for help because we want to be independent or we don’t want to burden anyone. However, you’ll have a better outcome if you involve more helpers. Also, in the long run, asking for assistance from others builds trust and connections. We’re not in this world alone, and that’s a good thing. Take Action It’s natural, especially in a prolonged crisis, to feel so hopeless that you may not want to take action. However, it’s essential to overcome this emotion. Be proactive, not reactive. Respond to the crises in an objective manner and take small steps if you must. If you’ve assessed the situation correctly and have help, it will give you more confidence to take action. Communicate with Others Communicate with the people around you respectfully, honestly, and clearly. We may want to keep information to ourselves, but that only makes a crisis worse. Letting others know what’s going on and what they need to do encourages coordination and trust. Maintain Your Mental Wellbeing Any crisis can be traumatic. Sometimes, being witness to a traumatic event can leave us feeling scared and vulnerable. It’s vital to take care of your mental health, so that you can respond well to the crisis. Even after a crisis event is over, its effects on mental health can last for weeks, months, or years. Our smartphones enable us to have mental healthcare at the tip of our fingertips. Phone apps geared towards self-care and counseling can help manage crises. Many therapists provide telehealth or video conferencing services, allowing you to seek therapy from the comfort of your own home. Meditation and breathing tools like CalmiGo can also maintain your mental wellbeing. Using CalmiGo just  three times a day can help manage your stress levels. CalmiGo also incorporates another calming tool, aromatherapy, through the use of its scented elements. Crisis can happen to anyone, at any time. It’s best to be prepared and how to manage a crisis. Know your tools and resources and use them!

It’s hard not to feel happy when you think of “peppermint.” Just the word itself has a bounce and a spark that can make you feel brighter. Peppermint reminds people of ice cream, candy shops, summer days, winter treats, and chewing gum commercials. But what exactly is “peppermint”? Where did it come from? Peppermint: A Refresher Peppermint is part of the mint herb family and has been used throughout human history. Thought to have originated in the Mediterranean area of Africa, peppermint’s use as a medical treatment goes back several thousand years. Greek Mythology finds “Minthe” as one of the river nymphs in one of the five rivers leading to Hades. Coming upon Minthe during one of his river runs, Hades became smitten with her. His wife, Persephone, wasn’t so pleased. She captured Minthe and turned her into a lowly weed. Hades, feeling horrible for the innocent nymph, turned the week into the peppermint plant we see today—enticing people with her sweet scent. History is dotted with peppermint’s influence. Egyptian medical texts from 1550 BC cites its ability to calm stomach upset. Mint was so valuable in Egypt that, for a while, it was used as currency for trade. The Roman philosopher, Pliny, thought so highly of peppermint that he wanted the plant worn as a crown to “stimulate the mind and soul.” Europe, as early as 1240 AD, used peppermint as both a culinary and medicinal herb. Early settlers introduced peppermint to Native Americans to use in medicine. And though peppermint — the herb — is edible, it is it's essential oils that are its crowning glory. Peppermint: Essential Oil Although most people don’t think of peppermint as an essential oil, its liquid oil form is what is used most often in both food and medicine. Peppermint essential oils are extracted from the leaves, creating a potent concentration of its scent and flavor. It’s like liquid sunshine! Because of its popularity, peppermint has an immediately recognizable scent. Cool and soothing, peppermint oils are a must-have in any aromatherapy cache. Peppermint essential oils help to alleviate tension headaches and migraines. The Association of Migraine Disorders recognizes the use of peppermint scents in reducing the strength of migraines and easing pain. Peppermint oil also boosts alertness and cognitive function. In a journal review of peppermint essential oils, an identified use of peppermint was as a treatment for mental fatigue and anxiety. Peppermint oil awakens the nervous system without overly stimulating it. A 2016 study found peppermint to be beneficial at clearing the mind and increasing focus. Peppermint oils also help to lift a person’s mood. The smell of peppermint provides a quick boost of “feel-good” chemicals within the body. The fresh, sweet, and crisp scent provides a balance of calm and alertness — something everyone strives for. Breath in the Sunshine CalmiGo is proud to introduce peppermint as part of our scented elements collection. Peppermint’s comforting and uplifting scent is the ideal complement to your CalmiGo companion. Keep yourself alert. Keep yourself calm. Peppermint does both!

Light Citrus Scent People typically think of citrus scents as zesty and sharp. If you’ve ever cut into a lemon or peeled an orange, you know that burst of energy that a citrus scent sends to your brain. But, did you know that citrus scents can also be calming?  For millennia, bergamot (a citrus plant) has served as a calming agent. Bergamot is unlike most citrus plants. It only grows in a specific climate and is particular about the soil it's planted in. The fruit looks like a cross between a lemon and lime and sized like an orange. As a fragrance, bergamot is gentle and light. Though you might not recognize the name, bergamot is found in many beauty and household products. Bergamot stars in many favorite perfumes as a "top note." Like a familiar tune, bergamot is a scent you recognize but can't figure out the name. Bergamot History The bergamot plant originated in Europe, near the Mediterranean. In Italy, the bergamot plant adorned the gardens of aristocrats. Italians understood how effective the scent was at creating feelings of peace and calm. They grew bergamot not just for the fruit, but for the scent it left in their gardens. If you're a tea drinker, you may already know bergamot well. Bergamot is the prominent flavor of Earl Grey tea. In the perfume industry, bergamot is an indispensable scent. Bergamot is present in many high-end perfumes from Christian Dior to Missoni. But, bergamot isn't only well-known because it possesses a pretty aroma— it's also because it creates a sense of calm. Bergamot: Essential Oil Though citrus scents are famous for generating feelings of happiness and joy, bergamot has the added benefit of also creating feelings of calmness. Bergamot essential oils come from the rind of the bergamot fruit, where most of its scent resides. For centuries, bergamot essential oils have been incorporated in lotions, balms, and perfumes to help ease feelings of stress and create feelings of peace. Those who practice aromatherapy already understand the benefits of bergamot essential oils. Bergamot is a go-to aromatherapy scent for boosting feelings of mental well-being and calmness. Currently, bergamot’s use as a complementary therapy for stress and anxiety is finding traction. A 2015 study of 41 females found that bergamot essential oil, used with water, can change the body's physiologic response. Bergamot is used as aromatherapy for medical waiting rooms to reduce anxiety for patients. A 2017 study in the journal Phytotherapy Research showed that bergamot was effective at reducing the stress patients felt while in the waiting room of a health center. There may be a reason why Earl Grey tea is calming, and bergamot perfume relaxes -- it's a physiologic response to bergamot! Introducing our New Scented Element! CalmiGo is proud to introduce bergamot as one of our newest scented elements. Light, bright, and citrusy, but also airy and calm, bergamot is the perfect familiar top note to help ease your mind.

Do you find yourself getting easily distracted these days? Are you unable to remain on task? Do you feel a little bit more disorganized? You’re not alone. Distraction isn’t just affecting people who are working from home. Essential workers, children who are homeschooling, even grandparents in nursing homes are finding it difficult to concentrate. And who could blame us? The world has changed overnight. We are all doing our best to cope. Most likely, your mind is probably running a million miles a minute. This thinking pattern can prevent an individual from remaining on the same thought topic, making finishing projects and household chores much more difficult. Why are we all feeling this way? It could be many reasons. The current situation continues to test our mental health, and each person reacts differently. A decrease in our capacity for attention can result from feelings of grief, depression, anxiety, and acute stress. All feelings that we can be prone to during this time. There are ways for you to hone in on a task and get things done. The following are a few methods to keep you from being driven to distraction. Create Smaller, Realistic Goals Develop measurable and attainable goals. But not like the ones you were able to do six months ago. Things have changed, and so have you. Your mind is adjusting to a different lifestyle. It's completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed. Because of these factors, your goals must also change. If you were able to finish a report in one week in the past, you might need to extend your completion time. If that's not possible, creating shorter realistic goals can help you finish the project on time. The same goes for daily household chores. Allot more time for yourself, and create shorter goals that will help you finish the task. You may not be able to complete a few tasks the same way you used to, and that's just fine. Adapt Your Environment Become attentive to your needs. If you find that you need background noise to concentrate, put on some headphones, play a podcast or music. You can do this for work or even while performing housework. Do you find that you can only work on one task for short periods? Take frequent breaks. If you find yourself having to organize more often, take the extra time it takes to gather things together before you start. What used to work for you six months ago might be completely different now. Acknowledge that your needs might be different and adapt the environment to them. Let Some Things Go We can't be at our best 100% of the time, especially right now. Cut yourself a lot of slack. Your attention span will be limited, and you may feel distracted -- and that's okay. The more you become frustrated with yourself, the more distracted you will be. Then your anxiety and distraction become an endless loop of disappointment. Don't let it get to that point. It's okay if the laundry piles up a bit. If your hair is a little unkempt, that's fine. So, you forget something during a Zoom meeting. We've all been there, and it's not going to bring the world crashing down. Let it go. You'll find that your attention span will start to come back when you feel less stressed. The Science Breathing mindfully can increase your attention span. A 2017 study published in the journal Frontiers of Psychology found that diaphragmatic breathing, also known as deep breathing, can improve attention and other thinking processes. Out of a total of 40 participants, those that were provided training in breathing techniques reported higher sustained attention span and cognitive performance. Would you like to see if your attention can improve through structured breathing? CalmiGo can help. Just three times a day may help you reduce your anxiety and increase your attention span. Try CalmiGo and see if it's right for you.

 Coming Out of Social Isolation May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and April was National Stress Awareness Month, but -- let’s be honest -- we could label the year 2020 as the Mental Health and Stress Year! For many of us, going through such major upheavals in a short period has put our mental health to the test. Now many of us are slowly returning to the lives we had from months ago. If you're feeling apprehension about returning to your old activities, you are not alone. More than half of all employees are worried about returning to work. Your fears may be understandable, but they don’t need to overwhelm you. The following are a few techniques to help you do the things you need to do. Managing Fears and Staying Safe Be Alert, Not Anxious Being alert can help you make responsible decisions. Avoiding crowded spaces, walking away from individuals who are coughing or sneezing, and remembering to wash your hands takes alertness.  However, when you are anxious, your mind becomes preoccupied with its worries. You might be thinking about all the events that could happen. And not focus on what is already happening in front of you.  Learn About Appropriate Safety Measures Be very selective about where you obtain your health information. The web can be filled with misinformation, but you must receive the most accurate information that you can get. If you have questions about the factual content of your health information, consult with your healthcare provider. Or visit official medical websites. Having the best information possible will make you feel more confident and keep you safe. Follow Your State Guidelines A country like the United States is vast, and what’s happening in one state may not apply to another. It’s important to follow your state guidelines when you’re beginning to return to your daily activities. Being knowledgeable and following instructions will keep you and your loved ones safe as everyone begins to interact again. Wearing a Face Mask No one enjoys wearing a face mask!  Not even healthcare workers. Whether or not people realize it, a face mask can foster a sense of anxiety. Unless you’ve had to wear face masks for work or a hobby, having a covering over your nose and face can be a new sensation. When you initially place a mask on your face, you might feel like you can’t breathe. Unless you have an actual breathing condition, this is usually not the case. You can breathe, but the feeling will be different in a mask. It may take time to get used to it. If you have to take off your mask in public because of anxiety, remove it when you’re far away from other people and place it in a paper bag. You can also use CalmiGo to help train you to breathe calmly, which may even make using a mask easier to tolerate. Remember that face masks not only protect you from others, but they are more critical at protecting other people. Individuals can be sick without any symptoms at any time, so it's for the safety of your community...not just for yourself. We're all in this together.

National Mental Health Month May is National Mental Health Month. It’s never been a better time to learn and think about our mental health. What exactly is “mental health”? Mental health is our psychological, social, and emotional wellness. Mental health has an impact on everything in our lives. How we think, feel, and behave is affected by our mental health. It also influences our relationships, work, and school. Even how we make choices, from the small stuff to the major life decisions, depends on our mental health. What Affects Our Mental health Just like our physical health, our mental health depends on a variety of factors. Our genetics, the chemistry in our brains, and our life experiences all play a part in our mental health. Also, similar to our physical health, we can get help from health professionals when our mental health isn't well. What Is Normal? First, we need to know what to look out for. If you’ve wondered what  “normal” mental health supposed to be like, you’re not alone. The truth is there is no “normal.”  Having a mental illness is not normal or abnormal. It’s a human condition that can occur with anyone. We all get physically ill sometimes. The same goes for our mental health. There will be times throughout our lives where we may find ourselves depressed, anxious, or distracted -- not functioning at our mental best. Sometimes the illness goes away on its own. There may be other instances, however, where you may need a mental health professional to get better. When to Seek Help for Mental Health The following are four significant signs indicating that you may need help getting your mental health back on track. Is your mental health affecting your relationships, your work, or school? When you become unable to control your emotions, your life can become upended. If you find yourself unable to get along with your family or coworkers, or if you can't complete your responsibilities at home or work, then it may be time to talk to a professional therapist or medical doctor. Are you starting to see, hear, or believe things that others don’t? It's tough to realize that you are starting to hear or see things that other people can't. For some people, when visual or auditory hallucinations occur, they try to reason it out as paranormal or religious. This phenomenon is also known as "magical thinking." When events like this start to happen, the best thing to do is to get help. Are you turning to drugs or alcohol to deal with your mental health? If alcohol or drugs are negatively affecting your relationships, work, or your ability to take care of yourself or your loved ones, you need to seek assistance. Do you feel like life is not worth living? Lastly, if you start to think about hurting yourself or others or if you start to feel like life is not worth living, then it's time to get professional help quickly. When someone starts to think that life is not valuable, it can result in decisions that can hurt them or others. Taking Care of Our Mental Health Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. It helps us to cope with stress, create meaningful relationships, and enjoy life. Finding ways to take care of our mental health, and seek professional help when necessary, should be a priority. Are you looking for a simple way to calm your mind? CalmiGo can help you control your breathing and settle your thoughts. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket but gives you immeasurable results.

 Disagreements are Not Stop Signs Disagreements, in general, are inevitable. It’s human to have an opinion, and your opinion will eventually differ strongly from someone else. However, you don’t have to let conflicting opinions damage your personal or work relationships. You can manage and resolve most differences with calm and reason, as long as you’re willing to accept some hard truths about yourself and your beliefs. The following are five conflict resolution tips, used by Harvard Law School’s Negotiations Program,  that help you gain some insight into yourself -- and others.  It’s Not “Us Versus Them” Creating an "us versus them" mentality can be tempting. The side you're on can feel more like a team when other people are considered outsiders or the enemy. Unfortunately, creating an us versus them mentality puts everyone at a disadvantage. Groups who think of others as the enemy typically have an inaccurate view of the other side, which can lead to further anger and division. Conflict resolution has to start with a desire to create a sense of unity for everyone. Establish common goals that you have with the people you disagree with. Attempt to build bridges and find similarities between each other. The more collaboration there is from the beginning, the more successful you will be at managing conflicts. Avoid Ultimatums and Threats In the heat of the moment, it's easy to demand ultimatums and try to make the other person angrier. And though it might feel powerful to do so at the time, it weakens your ability to make negotiations on your behalf. A "take it or leave it" mentality might make the other side walk away, leaving you at a loss. These types of demands can also make the situation worse and escalate the conflict. Ultimatums leave no room for negotiations, and without negotiation, both sides tend to lose. Fair versus Equitable The term "fair" can have very different meanings for both sides during a conflict. Very often, what seems like something "fair" is just a perception. When we are angry at someone else, what we think of as fair may be a loss for the other person. When trying to resolve conflicts, it may benefit everyone to make the goal be "equitable" instead of fair. Equitable decisions take into account the conditions and limitations each side of the argument might have. Consider What's Off-Limits When we are involved in an argument, our emotions can get in the way of facts. We may start to use our religious beliefs, personal views, political bias, or moral codes as concrete expectations for other people. Unfortunately, when we demand that others meet our personal beliefs at all costs, what we are really saying is that the personal beliefs of other people -- if they differ from ours -- don't matter. This not only drives other people away from us, but it also decreases our ability to speak up for our needs. Very often, what we think of as off-limit topics can be open to change or negotiation. We don't have to change our moral code or personal beliefs, but we may need to allow other people the freedom to practice theirs. Dig Deeper and Create a Mutual Understanding Creating a mutual understanding is easier said than done, but it’s key to successful conflict resolution. Becoming familiar with the other side and taking the time to hear their needs can resolve conflict. Very often, it’s a matter of putting differences aside and digging for common needs. See which goals are similar and find a way to achieve those goals together. Creating Your Calm to Resolve Conflict To deal with conflict, it's essential not to let anxiety and emotion cloud your judgment. One way to maintain your calmness is through deep breathing exercises. CalmiGo can put you in the right frame of mind to negotiate. Simple and effective, CalmiGo allows you to think clearly and calmly -- ready to face the world.

You wake up grateful to have a job in these tough times. You understand just how lucky you are. Working from home is a luxury that some people just don’t have. You are very thankful. But it doesn’t make things any easier. For some people, working from home is nothing new. They may have been using their home as their work office for years. Working from home is no big change. However, for many others, working from home is a drastic upheaval. In this chaos, what can help you work from home and maintain your mental health? The following are a few fact-based methods to help see you through. Tips to Make Working from Home Feel More Like Work You may have never thought you’d say it — but you want work to feel like work. Work shouldn’t feel like a lazy Sunday at home. Zoom meetings in pajama bottoms and reports stained with grape juice can get old very quickly. That “Sunday feel” can also lower the level of work you put out. Sometimes, you have to make yourself a little uncomfortable to put yourself back in the game. Set Your Boundaries Creating both a physical and mental space that separates your home from your job is an excellent place to start. In an article entitled “All in A Day's Work: Boundaries and Micro Role Transitions” published in the Academy of Management Review, authors encouraged “boundary-crossing activities” to transition from a casual mindset to a professional one and back. Drawing lines between our home life and professional life is vital for our personal and work relationships—and our mental health. These lines can be activities such as getting dressed for work, taking a walk around the block or your home, or make your favorite coffee in your work mug. Those little transitions can switch your gears, making you ready to work. Arrange More Meetings  In the pre-work from home days, you may have groaned at having to go to a meeting. However, seeing your colleagues and communicating with others can boost productivity. Having short, focused meetings can be the jumpstart you need to be more productive. And unlike a large in-person meeting, a videoconference forces people to look at each other and be more engaged. A meeting reminds everyone that there is still work to do, and you’re in it together. Set Your (Realistic) Priorities These times are a bit difficult for all of us, so give yourself —and others— a little latitude when it comes to working. Set work priorities, but make sure they’re the most important ones. Busy work that might feel easy to do, but won’t move projects forward, shouldn’t be on the list of priorities. Why is focusing on priority issues important? Because, during times like these, you will also need to focus on family and yourself. Outlining and identifying the main work priorities conserves your energy and attention for other things in your life, preventing burnout. Remembering What’s Important Everyone needs a little help in managing frustrations. Finding healthy ways to decompress might take trying something new. Why not try CalmiGo? CalmiGo is a discrete medication-free personalized breathing regulator that helps to calm you down when you feel anxious. By helping you control your breathing, CalmiGo slows down your elevated mental and physical responses—giving you the calm you’re looking for.

Emergencies Also Affect Children It doesn’t matter how old your child is; they will have strong feelings during and after an emergency. For some children, the emotions show right away. They’ll display signs of distress like crying, wailing, and anger. Other children may keep their emotions inside, then react when things have settled down. The following are five ways you can help children cope when emergencies occur in their lives. 1.   Provide Attention and Reassurance When an emergency or disaster occurs, adults often become focused on the crisis itself. Even afterward, caregivers may be dealing with their struggles. Children may be left to fend for themselves. Extra effort is necessary to provide children with attention and reassurance. Knowing that they are being acknowledged and looked after provides children with a sense of love and security that can blunt the damaging effects of an adverse event. 2.   Limit Exposure to the News In times of an emergency or disaster, the news can contain disturbing themes that aren’t fit for children. The news can also cause unnecessary fear in children, because they may think everything on the news may happen to them. The news can be too vivid and detailed for young children, which can cause trauma. Instead, limit the amount of news they are exposed to. Sit and talk with them about their questions, and allow them to speak about the news they see and hear from others. It’s vital to correct any misinformation they hear and provide them with age-appropriate feedback. Keep to the basic facts, answer their questions, and be patient. 3.   Express Emotions Through Play Some children feel more comfortable expressing their concerns through drawing, painting, and playing. Allow children to voice their emotions through artwork or play. Use this time as an opportunity to see how they are processing information and dealing with their emotions. Children often reveal a lot about themselves through their imagination, so provide them with the time and tools to do so. Take this time to interact with them and help them through the healing process. 4.   Watch Any Signs of Trauma Every child is different and will have a unique reaction to an emergency. However, there are common signs that indicate children are having a difficult time coping. Changes in behavior, like acting out in a usually quiet child or silence from a child that’s typically talkative can be a sign of trauma. Young children might start to practice behaviors they had previously grown out of like bed wetting or sucking their thumb. Though troubling, these are all typical signs of trauma. Remember to provide comfort and security, and seek outside help if these behaviors don’t go away or worsen. 5.   Be a Healthy Role Model Children ultimately look to the adults around them as their role models. Don’t feel the need to seem perfect and unruffled at all times. It can be beneficial for children to see you coping with stress in a healthy manner. Set a positive example. Let them know that you, too, feel worried or sad — but that you are working towards making things better. Love and Affection There are also other methods to help prevent and decrease anxiety. CalmiGo is a medication-free way to help focus your breathing and calm your body down. Perfect for use at any time for feelings of stress and anxiety, CalmiGo is an excellent option for coping with life’s changes. Children are inherently positive and resilient, but they still need our help. Love and affection, with a little bit of play time, can go a long way in helping children cope with emergencies.

The news is beneficial and necessary in many ways. Staying informed means knowing about the world around you. It’s about learning facts and understanding the changes occurring in society and culture. It’s about staying on top of science and politics and knowing enough to make informed decisions regarding our own lives. But what happens when we consume too much news?  A 2011 study confirmed that news programming that primarily depicted adverse events can impact the emotional states of its viewers. These viewers tended to be more anxious and sad than viewers who did not consume as much negative news. Unfortunately, the news today reports primarily negative news. And negative news can be, at some level, entertaining and addictive — so viewers come back for more. Does this mean we should avoid news altogether? Not necessarily. It’s essential to stay informed and make safe decisions regarding your personal life.  The following are some ways to follow the news and still keep a healthy emotional balance in your life. Pare Down Your News Consumption News can be addictive, especially when it makes you feel like there’s a catastrophe waiting to happen at any moment. The reality is, although there may be truth to the dire situations depicted in the news — how much news you digest  and where you obtain your news is just as important as the news itself. Look closely at your news sources. Are all your sources from odd news outlets on Facebook or Twitter? Are they all just different variations of the same story? Curate your news, and pick two of the most valid news outlets. Then limit your news consumption to once a day from these sources. Balance Negative News with Positive News  If all the news is negative, and sometimes it is, then balance your “news” intake with uplifting stories. Use whatever media you utilize to get your news (print, television, online, etc.) and find stories that make you feel happy. Stories that are not political or health-related are the kind you want. For instance, did you just watch a half-hour of doom and gloom news? Watch a half-hour about pet adoptions or a story of someone overcoming a life obstacle. Sounds a little cheesy and silly? It should! That’s the point. It’s not quite news, but it will balance your frame of mind. Ask Yourself, “How Does This Affect My Loved Ones and Me?” It’s vital to stay informed, especially during an emergency or a crisis. Though sometimes it may be difficult to filter what is important and what is not. Once you have chosen your valid and vetted emergency news sources (like a state or federal government organization or major news network), ask yourself, “How does this affect my loved ones and me?”  Take action on the news to keep your family safe. If the news doesn’t apply to your region or doesn’t affect your immediate family, stay aware but know that you are okay. The Takeaway  Staying on top of the news is part of being an informed citizen. However, it is also essential to take care of our mental health, and not drop down into the rabbit hole of negative news. In some cases, too much news can cause anxiety and panic attacks. To prevent these situations, we have to remain responsible news consumers and place the news into a reasonable perspective. If the news is making you feel anxious, CalmiGo can help. CalmiGo is a medication-free way to help calm yourself. Using CalmiGo for three minutes, three times a day can help keep the mind free from panic, giving you clarity and peace of mind.

Being a parent is a 24/7 job. But what happens when your day job collides head-on with your parenting one? It can feel like you’re being pulled in multiple directions at once. You become a jack of all trades, but feeling like a master of none. You are not alone. During these times, many of us find ourselves in this situation. You are making three meals a day, helping with schoolwork, intervening in sibling squabbles—all the while trying to be a productive worker. Suddenly, you’re wearing all your hats at once and at your wit's end. Working from home with children in the house is a challenge, but it’s not impossible to do well. We’ve compiled four methods to help you juggle the work-from-home life successfully. Communication with Your Employer and Your Family It’s important to let everyone involved know what to expect. Be honest with your employer. Let your employer and coworkers know what your situation is, and that you may have to leave periodically to attend to your family. Communicate with your family, especially your children, about how you expect them to behave while you’re at “work.” It’s also essential to communicate with your partner. Setting expectations, coordinating chores, and establishing work times with your partner can prevent any misunderstandings and help keep the peace. Establish Your Boundaries, both Literally and Figuratively If possible, create a “space” for you to work from. When video conferencing, it’s better to have you facing the doorway of the room, allowing you to be able to see who is coming in and what’s happening in your home—without allowing the people on the video screen to see what you see. Create a signal to let your family know you’re working, like a “Mom at Work” sign. Create a signal for kids to use to get your attention, like waving a red blanket rather than yelling, “Dad!” Utilize Technology Babysitters are still available, just maybe not in the traditional sense. Grandparents can still interact with their grandchildren through video calls. You can employ grandma and grandpa to help with homework or talk with kids through video while you’re in a meeting.   Keeping the kids distracted can be educational and fun. Many tech companies have helped to bring fun activities to the home. For example,  Google Art & Culture has worked with a thousand worldwide museums around the world to conduct virtual tours. Let Things Go During the times we’re living in, having some level of flexibility can help keep you and your family comfortable. Allowing yourself and your family some room to do things you wouldn’t typically allow during “normal” times is not only okay but recommended. As long as it comes from a place of love, and it is not hazardous a little bit more screen time, and a few more scoops of ice cream can provide some security and comfort. Focusing on What Matters Most Although it’s vital to keep your job and career going, also remember that these times shed light on the things that matter. Keeping things in perspective can help you tolerate just a little more chaos. CalmiGo can help you keep your calm while you’re coordinating your home and work life. Using CalmiGo for three minutes, three times a day can help manage feelings of frustration or worry, giving you some room to breathe.

Uncertain Times It’s human nature to want to know what the future holds. We like to plan things out and prevent any possible emergencies. However, these are uncertain times. It’s difficult to see forward to next week, much less next year. For people who tend to experience stress or anxiety, uncertainty tends to make those feelings worse.  In the face of uncertainty, it’s necessary to remain as calm as possible and think rationally. For some people, uncertainty can lead to denial. Believing that adverse events will never happen to you can prevent you from preparing or planning adequately. On the other hand, only assuming that the worst will happen can keep you from enjoying your life and appreciating what you have. The best way to deal with uncertainty is to function somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. Here are a few ways to help you cope. Avoid Information Overload Staying informed is vital. But it’s also essential to remain calm.  Keeping on top of what’s happening in the world or local news can help you plan for emergencies and prevent negative outcomes. Too much news, though, can make it seem as if everything is a disaster and inevitable. Appoint a few times each day to gather information from a valid state, federal, hospital, or emergency sites. Keep away from too much news. The excess anxiety that news overload can create prevents people from being calm and effective when necessary. Recognize Irrational Versus Rational Thought It’s important to recognize when you are thinking irrationally. Anxiety may cause someone to catastrophize. This means seeing only being able to see the worst outcome of a situation. Catastrophizing can make people blow risks out of proportion and think irrationally. When a person catastrophizes, the brain creates the worst stories and believes it to be true. Rational thoughts are based on fact and valid information, rather than fiction. The human brain is not evolved to think rationally. It’s trained by evolution to react through emotion and memories. Rational thinking takes practice. It also demands the ability to recognize anxious thoughts and manage them. However, logical thinking enables people to handle uncertainty in a healthy and safe manner, Stick to Routines It’s easier said than done. But in times of uncertainty, sticking to a routine can help keep a person grounded. Especially for children, a routine provides something predictable and secure during uncertain times. Routines don’t have to be intricate or last all day. It can be having a sleep routine before bed every night. Or waking up and exercising at the same time each day. These routines help to provide a sense of certainty during uncertain times.  Have Hope It’s difficult to give in to uncertainty. As humans, we try to change the world to fit into our plans. We like to create an environment where we are always in control. Unfortunately, that kind of control is impossible. Sometimes, the best we can do is prepare as much as we rationally can and then roll with the punches. The most important act we can do for ourselves and our loved ones, especially during times of uncertainty, is to have hope. Keep in touch with those you care about. Be kind to the people around you. Remind yourself and your loved ones that challenges are finite and temporary. Hope sees us through to the other side of the challenge.

Stress and the Immune System We’ve all been there. Studied all week for Finals Week, surviving on one hour of sleep each day and coffee.  Or working overtime for a month straight with very little rest and eating fast food.  At some point, you start to feel weak, and you start to sniffle. Soon you have a full-blown illness. The stress has compromised your immune system. The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes that stress can severely weaken the immune system. Their statement is, “health can benefit from conscientious stress management.” The APA also states, “long-term or chronic stress, through too much wear and tear, can ravage the immune system...people who are older or already sick are more prone to stress-related immune changes.” Research demonstrates how stress can impact health both in the immediate future and in the long run.   If you’re worried about getting sick, there are steps you can take to manage stress and keep your immune system healthy and strong. Get Your Sleep Sleep is a great rejuvenator. When we sleep, the body recalibrates itself and fixes what it can. If we don’t sleep, the body can’t repair itself, and we start to feel tired and ill.   According to the CDC, adults should sleep for approximately 7 hours each day. Children and babies need between 8 and 17 hours of sleep, depending on their age. According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep deprivation, affects the body’s immune system. And a lack of sleep weakens the way the body makes white blood cells, a vital part of the body’s immune system. Stress can negatively impact a person’s ability to produce germ-fighting material for their organization. Eat Healthy As much as possible, eat nutritious food from a wide variety of sources. Consuming fruits and vegetables in different colors helps to ensure that you are getting the right mix of vitamins and minerals. Avoid saturated fats and fatty meats. Drink water and maintain a healthy weight. We know that specific vitamins and minerals directly influence the immune system. For instance, a lack of vitamin C can result in a weakened immune system. Here are a list of other vitamins and minerals that affect immune function: Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamin E Folic acid Iron Zinc Obtaining these vitamins and minerals from the diet is highly preferred. However, it’s not always possible.  These nutrients can also be consumed through supplements, which include multivitamins. Practice Self-Care Find ways to reduce stress in your life. Although it can’t always be avoided, it can be managed. A few ways to practice self-care is to:   Find time to perform things you enjoy Spend time away from the news and other sources that can aggravate stress. Maintain a support system, like family and friends. Meditate and perform breathing exercises. During times of stress, breathing can make all the difference. Breathing can change the way we handle stress. When we can breathe deeply and slowly, we change the way our mind and bodies process stress. We keep stress hormones from overrunning the body and using up our ability to fight infection. Being able to control your breathing can boost your immune system by managing stress. If you have a CalmiGo, this is a great time to use it 3 times a day for 3 minutes each time, in addition to any time you feel distress. If you don’t have one, it’s a great time to purchase.  We all need a little breather, now and then.

According to the  AAA Foundation for Traffic, Americans drive a total of 2.45 trillion miles on the road and, on average, spend a total of 290 hours on the road. That’s a lot to be driving! All this time on the road can take its toll on our mental health.  We drive our children to school, and we drive ourselves to work. We drive to the grocery store, and we drive out to dinner. There’s soccer games, spin classes, visiting grandma – the list is endless. What can a person do to avoid feeling frayed from traffic? Here are some ideas that will help you keep calm. Five Methods to Overcome Traffic Stress Maneuver Around Angry Thoughts You can be reasonably certain to encounter someone or something frustrating while you’re driving. However, being in a car can give people a sense of anonymity, and they might say or do things they wouldn’t normally do face-to-face. Expect and acknowledge angry thoughts while you're driving. Let them occur, accept them, and then maneuver around them and move on to the next thought. Don’t let them stay in your head, because they can snowball into anxiety or rage. Enjoy the Scenery Maintain your perspective and know that traffic is only temporary. Whatever happens as a consequence of that traffic is also only temporary. If you’re late, most people will understand. Ruminating about what will occur because of the traffic will only make your stress worse. Instead, take in the scenery around you and maintain your perspective. Put the Brakes On People who become stressed or angry when driving may start to fidget or move around. The traffic is their chance to “do something” constructive. When sitting in traffic, they may start to try to gather the trash around their seat, and while sitting in traffic. They’ll flip through stations on the radio without staying on any one station. This nervous activity only heightens anxiety and can lead to distracted driving. Consult Your GPS If possible, avoid traffic when you can. Many GPS systems and traffic apps can show you where the heaviest traffic is. Stay flexible and open to changing your route if necessary. Sticking to the same route just out of habit, despite traffic, can lend to the feeling of helplessness that traffic can cause. If your job is flexible, see if you can do remote work or adjust your schedule to avoid peak travel times. Your Horn is for Emergencies A car horn is not a toy or a means to take out your aggression. Car horns exist for emergencies. The sound is meant to be jolting to the senses and annoying at the very least. The more often you use your car horn to express frustration, the greater your frustration rises. On the Road Again CalmiGo is an excellent, portable, medication-free way to control traffic stress. Using CalmiGo for three minutes before you get behind the wheel can help to significantly decrease stress behind the wheel. When the body experiences stress, it releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. If you become too anxious when driving, those stress hormones can remain in your body throughout the day, long after the traffic is done. You’ll probably be spending much of your time on the road, it’s important learn how to control the stress from driving so that it doesn’t affect your mental and physical health. So keep calm and drive on.

What is Insomnia? If you’re finding yourself staring at the clock, watching the morning creep closer and closer with no sleep under your belt, know that you’re not alone. The inability to fall asleep or remain asleep is called insomnia. According to The American Institute of Stress, insomnia affects 3 million Americans. Unfortunately, stress and insomnia can occur together with one making the other worse and vice versa. This loop creates a vicious cycle. What Can Happen if You Don’t Get Enough Sleep?  Sleep is an essential function that the body needs to recuperate, heal, and maintain energy. While we sleep, the brain and body are recovering, recalibrating, healing, and building strength. Without enough sleep, we can develop physical and mental health issues such as: A weak immune system. Increased weight gain. Increased chances of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. Higher risk of depression, irritability, and confusion. Poor school and work performance. Heightened feelings of anxiety. Fall Asleep Naturally For many people, sleep medication is not an option. Medication meant for sleep can make some people feel groggy the next day. Some sleep medication can also lead to dependence. Being able to get enough sleep without sleep medication is easier said than done, but it’s possible. Cut Down on Caffeine As wonderful as coffee is, it can throw a wrench in someone’s sleep cycle. Caffeine can also keep your body keyed up, unable to get to that sleep zone. The best thing to do is to avoid coffee altogether. If that’s not possible, then try to keep any coffee and sugar consumption to a minimum and stay away from coffee for at least five hours before your scheduled bedtime. Stick to a Sleep Schedule Train your body to get enough sleep, at least 6-8 hours. Set a time for you to fall asleep and wake up, and keep that same schedule on the weekends. An irregular sleep cycle can prevent your body from knowing when to sleep. Also, perform the same “sleep ritual” before you go to bed every night, like bathing or listening to calm music. This ritual gives your brain a “cue” that it’s time for sleep. Set an Electronic Ban Studies have shown that any “blue light” (mostly found in televisions, LED lighting, and smartphones) can keep the brain keyed up and awake because it suppresses melatonin. One hour before bed, start dimming the lights and keep away for televisions and electronics. Move your Clock  Clocks can make stress worse when someone is experiencing insomnia, especially loud ticking clocks or bright digital clocks. Instead of keeping a clock in your room, place it in the bathroom or outside in the hallway, creating a stress-free haven for your mind. Try Relaxation Techniques  Because insomnia can cause stress, and stress can cause insomnia —learning how to relax can help you fall asleep. By prepping your body for bedtime, you can train your body to power down. CamiGo can work as part of your relaxation technique before bed. CalmiGo helps your body relax in three ways: breathing regulation, multisensory stimulation, and relaxing lavender scent, helping to provide drug-free relief for times of stress and insomnia. If you are feeling the effects of insomnia, don’t let the stress start you on an endless loop. You can make a few changes to get you on the right track for your health and your mind.

Every relationship has its hurdles. A relationship where one person has anxiety, however, presents a unique set of challenges. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) reports that people with anxiety, when compared to those without anxiety, were three times more likely to avoid intimacy with their partner and two times more likely to experience at least one relationship problem. Accept Them as They Are  When someone is under stress or anxiety, it’s difficult for them not to feel that way. Telling someone not to have anxiety or expecting them to improve overnight only serves to make that person feel helpless. It would be like asking someone with diabetes not to be a diabetic and asking them to change right away. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to let your partner know you accept them as they are and are willing to support them. Educate Yourself About Anxiety Partners can educate themselves about the experience of living with anxiety. Learning and identifying the signs and symptoms of anxiety can allow you to help your partner manage those symptoms when they arise. It also enables you to think ahead and avoid situations that may trigger their anxiety. Developing a knowledge base about anxiety also helps you to empathize with your other half. Learning simple, but effective, treatment options, like meditating and breathing techniques, can help you walk a partner through anxiety symptoms. Even a little technology can help. CalmiGo is a portable device that can help someone breathe in a moment of anxiousness. Just three minutes a few times a day may help to relieve stress without medication. Empathize and Support Once you’ve educated yourself about anxiety, you’ll be more likely to empathize with your partner’s situation. Being able to empathize improves your ability to solve issues alongside your partner and understand their journey. People with anxiety, just like everyone else, want reassurance that their partner will love them despite their challenges. Be Patient It’s tempting to create timetables for progress, but learning to manage anxiety is a process. Creating timelines and making ultimatums only generates more anxiety. Being patient and flexible can help your partner manage their anxiety in a supportive environment.  Know Your Boundaries You are also important in this relationship, so knowing what your limits are and following them are essential. Take time to perform your own self-care and have your individual needs addressed. Don't forget to pursue your interests and hobbies, also. Communicate with your partner about what you need from the relationship and, if necessary, seek couples counseling. You’re Important, Too! The partner of someone who has anxiety can find themselves taking on more of the heavy lifting in a relationship at times. When the partner with anxiety requires time off, the other half has to fulfill domestic responsibilities like bill paying, cooking, and cleaning. When there are children involved, the responsibilities are more significant. Taking on these extra duties, in addition to helping the other partner with anxiety symptoms, means both people in the relationship deserve kudos for all they put into it. Loving someone with anxiety can have some hard moments, but it can have very bright ones, too! People with anxiety are very genuine and empathetic people, which makes them easy to fall in love with. Both partners must remember why they were drawn to each other in the beginning stages of a relationship and to allow that magic to carry them through tough times.

American Heart Month February is the month of hearts—both literally and figuratively. It’s the month of chocolates, roses, and cardiovascular health. February is when the nation celebrates American Heart Month to raise awareness about how vital heart health is. Unlike the other muscles in our body, the heart is continuously in motion, working hard to push blood through our veins and arteries. It never gets to rest. Perhaps because it’s always working, we don’t notice it much. We go about, sure in the belief that it will always be able to do the job until it can’t.   American Heart Month is a yearly reminder to take care of our heart, and not to wait until our heart sends distress signals. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is responsible for a quarter of all deaths each year, making it the leading cause of death in America. It doesn’t have to be. Stress and Heart Health  Heart disease can be prevented or improved by making lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, getting regular exercise, maintaining blood pressure, and reducing stress can all help to prevent heart disease. Uncontrolled stress can cause a myriad of health problems. Stress can induce muscle and joint pain, lower the immune system, and affect the digestive tract. When it comes to the heart, stress can raise blood pressure. High blood pressure can make the heart work harder and strain blood vessels, causing the cardiovascular system to break down.   A recent study done in the British Medical Journal highlighted just how much stress is responsible for heart disease. Researchers compared the health histories of siblings and noted that stress-related disorders are strongly associated with multiple types of cardiovascular disease, regardless of family history. Managing Stress  Does this mean we have to avoid all stress in order to have a healthy heart? Not at all. Stress is a necessary and inevitable part of living. Some stress is even good for you. However, we do have to manage the stress that we feel. Choose Healthy Habits Habits don’t always have to be bad for you, like smoking or biting your nails. You can choose to pick up good habits. Create a regular exercise plan, like walking or jogging. Find ways to make it a routine. Make getting 8 hours of sleep a habit. Not only does developing good habits make you healthy, but it also takes the stress out of decision making. Know Your Limits Trying to continually push your mind and body past its limits can have long term ramifications. Your mind needs time to regroup. And your heart, because it never gets a day off, can’t work in overdrive for too long. Constant stress can take its toll on the body physically, but also mentally. Stress can turn into anxiety, which can turn into a disorder. Learn to identify when you need to rest physically and mentally, and then make a concerted effort to do so. Find Ways to Relax Your Mind Finding healthy ways to relieve stress can be difficult. The temptation is to eat a slice of cake or a tub of ice cream, neither of which is good for the heart. But quiet activities like reading, meditation, or walking can help. A 2019 article in Scientific American linked controlled breathing, like the kind used in meditation and yoga, to cardiac health and decreased stress. CalmiGo For Stress and Your Heart CalmiGo can help to decrease stress and promote heart health. When you’ve reached your limit and want to relax your mind, make CalmiGo part of your breathing relaxation routine three times a day. Your heart will thank you for it.

If Instagram were any indication you’d think being a working mom was about perfectly coiffed kids and meal prepped lunches with artfully arranged food. Social media shows us perfectly curated photos of motherhood. It’s vital that we understand how far those photos are from the truth. Being a mother is full of beautiful highs and deep lows. It’s about the biggest love and the hardest frustrations. Add work to the mix, along with chores and bills and a marriage, and working mom stress can build up. The American Psychological Association (APA) notes that women are much more likely than men to put their family’s needs ahead of their own. Women are also becoming increasingly responsible for financial and health decisions within the family, along with working outside of the home. It’s no wonder that working mom stress has become more prevalent in the last decade. Here are five tips to manage working mom stress and prevent mommy burnout. Preventing Working Mom Burnout Make time for yourself. You can’t help your family be their best if you’re run down and ragged. Taking the time to rest, do the things you love, and recharge your spirit will help you to handle all that working mom stress. Enlist help. You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to do it alone. Ask your family to pitch in. Have children help with chores. You’ll find that children become much more responsible and self-sufficient when they learn to do things on their own at an early age. Discuss how you feel with your spouse and ask for assistance. Make your needs explicit and specific. “I need help doing three loads of laundry a week.” If you can afford it, there’s no shame in hiring someone to help with the yard or housework. Set realistic expectations for others. The spouse may buy pizza for dinner and forget to brush the kids hair, but if the children are loved and safe then it’s okay. The laundry may not be folded the way you would have done it, but it’s folded and put away. Your spouse may not be able to perform tasks to your exact standards, but he’s trying. Adjusting your standards may help to alleviate stress and keep the peace. Scale back your duties, either at work or at home. Or both. You can’t have everything, but you can love what you have. Take inventory of what tasks are essential and what just results in extra work. You may be surprised at how many things can streamlined in your life. Find time to exercise regularly. Exercise provides a healthy way to release stress and calm the mind. Exercise doesn’t need to be at the marathon level, it only needs to be done regularly. Even walking for 30 minutes three times a week can relieve stress. The Mom Life Finding healthy ways to alleviate stress is key. CalmiGo can help to adjust your breathing and calm your mind. Using CalmiGo for three minutes three times a day can help manage feelings of working mom stress. One thing all mothers can do is support other mothers. Mommy bashing only makes all mother’s lives difficult, because it creates feelings of inadequacy and makes everyone vulnerable to criticism in the end. Instead, shower other mothers help and kudos, because all moms are trying to do their very best.

When it comes to parties and social gatherings, here's the secret: Everyone is worried about themselves. In general, most people feel a degree of self-consciousness during social events. Even extroverted social butterflies can feel stress before large gatherings! The stress is heightened for people with anxiety. Social events can be unpredictable, with the capacity to bring about the unknown and unexpected. The fear of the unknown, and the increased sensory stimulation, lead people with anxiety to focus inward on themselves.  “What if everyone is looking at me?” "What if I say something wrong?" Those questions are familiar to anyone who has felt anxiety in social situations. It's tempting to avoid social gatherings and veto parties altogether. However, avoiding all social events diminishes opportunities for growth and experiences.  There are several ways to make social occasions much more manageable. Focus Your Attention Outwards During social gatherings, shining the spotlight on other people through observation may lessen social anxiety. Examining other people and the environment can help to distract from feelings of inadequacy. Who are other people talking to? What are other people wearing? What might be going through their heads? Imagining what concerns other people have takes the concern off of the self. When possible, do or say something nice for one or more people during the event. Expressing kindness and taking time to help others is another way to focus on other people. Through observation of others and the surroundings, there is less attention focused inwards. By feeling less self-conscious, social events can become less threatening. Plan and Memorize  Another way people with anxiety can manage social events is to have a list of talking points already memorized. One of the major reasons people with anxiety dread social gatherings is the unpredictability of social interaction. It's often challenging to find a quick response when the mind becomes frozen with fear. Before social events, it’s best to prepare. Have a list of talking points or questions memorized. Then, when stuck in a conversation, you can pick out a question or topic to keep the conversation going.  Hint: Most people will talk about themselves at length if you ask a question about them. It can also help to have a standardized routine to use for introductions and conversations. For example, smile. Make eye contact and shake hands. "Hi, I'm Dylan's wife. Nice to meet you. And you are?" Then discuss the list of memorized talking points that. Ask questions to get the other person to talk about themselves and avoid political or religious topics. How about when you want to leave a conversation? It's essential to know how to disengage from an interaction politely. Have some memorized lines for times when you need to end a conversation. For example, smile and say, "It was so nice talking with you. I think it's time for me to touch base with my husband. I'll see you later." Then shake hands and walk away. Having a predictable “script” to fall back on that focuses on others can take some of the unpredictability away from social situations, making them much more manageable. Remember to Breathe  Social anxiety can change how the body breathes. To prepare the body for social situations, you can calm yourself down just by breathing. Breathing deeply and slowly, by allowing your abdomen — not your chest— to rise and fall. CalmiGo can assist in helping you train your body to breathe in a way that's good for both your physical and your mental health. Let’s Get the Party Started! Social gatherings can be daunting for everyone, not just people with anxiety. There are ways to get through the situation and, perhaps, even enjoy your time there. Who knows, you may find yourself looking forward to the next event.

The start of a new year can feel exciting and full of opportunity for some people. However, for someone struggling with anxiety, the new year can be daunting.   A New Year's resolution provides us with a way to jump-start the new year. Resolutions give us a topic to write into our stories, filling the blank slate of the unknown. Those promises we make at the start of the year is a way to reflect on what we would like to improve in ourselves.  Resolutions inspire insightfulness and self-reflection. However, for someone with anxiety, the pressure of a resolution can feel like a recipe for failure instead. Instead of feeling invigorated to make a change, people with anxiety may see resolutions as an additional source of stress.  One option is to not have any goals or resolutions for the New Year. For some people with anxiety, that's the choice that suits them best. However, growth often comes with change. So, how should someone with anxiety approach a New Year's resolution? The same way everyone else should—by creating small, manageable goals instead of trying to make sweeping changes all at once. SMART Goals Start with some quiet reflection about the past year and yourself. How would you like to improve? In what ways do you think you can evolve yourself? Choose one or two aspects to focus on and develop SMART goals. SMART goals are: Specific. Instead of a vague goal, create a very specific one. "I will eat healthy."  vs. “I will eat a serving of fruit and vegetables at every meal for one month.” Measurable. Create a goal that you can measure or benchmark so that you can show yourself when you're succeeding. Achievable. Your goal should be realistic and reasonable. Relevant. Your goal doesn't need to be a life-changing catalyst for your life, but it does need to be something important to you. Time-Bound. Setting a firm deadline, instead of a general one, alleviates the stress of the unknown. Set small timeframes that you can extend into the future. Evaluation When you reach a goal’s deadline, review what happened and how you did. What helped you meet your goals? What made things more challenging? Be gentle on yourself if you don’t meet your expectations. Consider it a learning experience and adjust your approach for the next time. If you need to, try again and keep the goals moving. Evolution Change doesn't happen overnight. Change happens in small increments, bit by bit, over some time. Wanting a transformation to happen instantly only leads to frustration and disappointment. Consider the goals you make as part of a journey in your evolution. If anxiety is on your list of concerns to conquer, consider CalmiGo as a part of your anxiety goals. Three minutes of using CalmiGo can keep you on the path to calmness. The New Year is full of hope and possibility. Just breathe and take small steps into the New Year. Bit by bit, day by day—and start an evolution.

“Are you ready for the holidays?”  It's meant as a polite conversation starter, but for some people, that question can spark dread. For someone with anxiety the holidays are about survival rather than goodwill and enjoying the company of others. The holidays bring a bit of disruption to the table. The decorations, events, people,  presents, and planning can become overwhelming. It's enough to make anyone want to lie in bed until the new year rolls in.  How To Cope with Holiday Anxiety As tempting as it can be, hibernating until the holidays are over is not an option. However, learning to manage holiday stress is. Here are a few ways to help cope with holiday anxiety. Less Judgement, More Compassion  Being more accepting of others, and yourself, can make the holidays much more pleasant. When people are coming from a sense of right and wrong, judgmental thinking occurs. Being aware of when those overly critical thoughts occur, and then letting them go instead of voicing them out or ruminating about them, can make the holidays feel less frustrating. Most importantly, be more compassionate to yourself. Being overly critical of yourself can lead to anxiety. You may find that you’ll be more accepting of others when you treat yourself with compassion. Make a Choice to Say No Everyone is allowed to say "no." Wearing yourself down to the bone during the holidays won't help you or your loved ones enjoy the time together.  You may want to focus on the activities you enjoy the most and hold the most meaning for you and your loved ones. Decide what's important to you and your loved ones, and consider saying “no” to everything else. Maintain a Routine Holidays have a way of upending daily routines, which can throw people with anxiety for a loop. Maintaining a routine, even a small one, can help to establish a constant when everything else is in disarray.  Regular routines are important sources to help you feel calmer. If making and drinking a cup of coffee before everyone wakes up is a normal routine, try to do it even while you travel.  Let Go of Perfection Anxiety can stem from the fear of falling short of the perfect Christmas image in a person's head. This expectation of perfection leads people to go above and beyond what is necessary, often forsaking their wellbeing in the process. There is no rule that says Christmas has to be perfect to be rewarding. Know that reality will most likely fall short of perfection, but it can be nonetheless worthwhile and enjoyable. The holidays will not be a failure if a few situations aren’t ideal, though it can certainly feel that way sometimes.  Perfection is a fairy tale, and an actual life lived in reality with loved ones is always the preferable choice.    Focus on What You Can Control Many things in life can't be controlled, especially during the holidays. What we can concentrate on are the things that are within our control. Mainly ourselves.  It’s vital to give ourselves the gift of time for the holidays. By doing so, we can establish a sense of control over what we allow for ourselves. It also provides us with rest and rejuvenation because, especially for anxious people, being merry and bright can be exhausting!  We can manage how we react to situations by controlling how we breathe. When anxious feelings arise, breathing is a simple way to take control of the situation. During the holiday rush, breathing can make all the difference. If you have a CalmiGo, this is a great time to use it 3 times a day for 3 minutes each time, in addition to any time you feel distress. CalmiGo also makes an excellent gift for anyone you know who experiences anxiety. If you’ve ever wanted to give someone the gift of “calmness” for Christmas, then CalmiGo is the perfect present! Happy Holidays  The holiday season can bring more than snowmen and gingerbread, for some it can bring anxiety, too. With a little change in behavior and thought, and maybe with a bit of help from CalmiGo, the holidays can be merry again. “Are you ready for the holidays?” Yes, we are.

Everyone feels stress and anxiety from time to time. It helps us overcome daily struggles and pushes us to improve ourselves. However, there are times when the brain misjudges the need for anxiety, and it can cause problems instead. In these cases, anxiety can become disruptive and become a disorder. Anxiety is Common If you are experiencing anxiety, know that it's common, and you're not alone. According to the National Institute of Health, anxiety disorders are the most common forms of mental illness in the US. About 1 in 5 adults are affected each year. For children and adolescents, about 1 in 3 will experience anxiety before the age of 18.  If hearing these numbers about anxiety makes you feel anxious, you are not alone. Part of being anxious includes being hypervigilant about other reasons to worry. It's a coping strategy the brain uses to keep you safe from the world around you. But this strategy sometimes backfires on itself and creates an endless loop about being anxious.  False Belief Ironically, avoiding the emotion of anxiety creates more anxiety. This "anxiety about anxiety" is so common it has a name—secondary anxiety. Secondary anxiety stems from a false belief that you won't be able to handle the perceived threat. This false belief is what keeps you on the hamster wheel of secondary anxiety. The Anxiety Wheel Being anxious about being anxious feels like being stuck on a hamster wheel. It is exhausting.It is all-consuming.And it gets you nowhere. No one sets out trying to deliberately start themselves on an anxiety loop. It happens because humans are wired to be anxious. Secondary anxiety is the brain's natural reaction to a perceived threat. The brain views the original anxiety as an enemy and unleashes the body's defenses. The brain then begins its biological stress response as a way to deal with the threat. During times of physical danger, the brain's response would be a correct reaction. But in the safety of our homes, the brain's response is mistaken. Unfortunately, the brain can't always gauge situations correctly. Managing Secondary Anxiety  So your brain is stuck on a false belief and feels anxiety. What can you do? The best approach is to accept how your brain feels and work with the body instead. Dialing down the physical response is vital to managing the anxiety coming from your brain. By controlling what you can — your physical response — you can diminish the feelings of anxiety in the mind and start the path to healing. Breathing: Connecting the Body to the Brain The stress hormones released by the brain during anxiety will direct a person to breathe quicker and exhale for a shorter duration. These two breathing changes end up with the same result—lower carbon dioxide levels which narrow the blood vessels to the brain. The muscles around the lungs become stiff because of the inadequate breathing, creating a feeling of tightness around the rib cage and throat.  A person who feels anxiety may describe the feeling of "not being able to breathe." This feeling acts like an accelerant to secondary anxiety. Feeling unable to breathe is what causes secondary anxiety to rev up to a panic attack. Breathing impacts how your body reacts to internal and external influences. This is why most meditation exercises focus on directing your breathing. By controlling breathing, you can take control back from the brain's primitive responses. Learning How to Breathe Again When the body balances its oxygen and carbon dioxide levels by breathing adequately, it dials down the stress response. The heart rate slows.The muscles relax.The mind clears. Training the body to breathe the way it needs to takes a lot of time and energy. When anxiety has already sapped your energy and time is of the essence, then a little assistance may be necessary. CalmiGo, for example, is a great resource to effortlessly help you regulate your breath in a moment of distress. Secondary anxiety is common. You are not alone, and the emotions are not your fault. You can seek professional help if anxiety starts to impact your personal and professional life. Remember to lean on family and friends for support and be kind to yourself. The positive side of anxiety is that managing it is possible. With a bit of time, practice, and diligence, things can improve.

Did you know that your choice of words can affect your productivity and your stress levels? There are things in our to-do list that we always succeed on doing (for example, taking our dog for a walk, buying present for a birthday party) but there are some things that stay on our to-do list forever. What makes the difference between the things that we are always doing and those that we never find the time/energy to do?  Right there is the key – in many cases, the words you choose when you talk to yourself can determine your ability to achieve the things you want or have to do. Let's take a more in-depth look. Why You Are Not Doing Things You “Must” Do When you were a child (from toddler to teens), it's likely that your parents told you that you need to keep your room clean and you have to do the dishes. Remember how it made you feel? You maybe got angry or nervous, and the wording might have even made you want to do exactly the opposite of what you were told to do. Our parents aren't alone in telling us what we must, need, and have to do – we do it to ourselves as well. We use these coercion words (words meant to forcefully persuade someone to do something) on ourselves. You say, “I have to call my aunt” or “I must work out today.” These statements can quickly cause an increase in your stress level and create distress. Because it promotes anxiety, it may also reduce your motivation to actually do what you thought you needed to do.  How to Motivate Yourself with the Right Use of Words Consider checking if you are telling yourself “I must work out today,” “I have to call my aunt,” “I need to clean my kitchen,” and replace those coercion words with “want.” Say, “I want to work out today,” “I want to call my aunt,” “I want to clean my kitchen.” Do you notice a change in your feelings and your motivation to act when you do this switch? When you change that one simple word, it is likely that you will feel less anxiety, and you will be more motivated to actually complete the task. It's easier to do something you want to do than it is to do something you feel like you're being forced to do.  I want you to give "want" a try!

Millions of veterans in the United States and around the world struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of combat-related stress or another traumatic incident in their lives. PTSD can be very debilitating, resulting in difficulty sleeping, disturbing flashbacks, and severe anxiety.  The Study Recently, a nonprofit organization that supports Military Veterans with combat injuries conducted a study to check CalmiGo’s efficacy with army veterans with PTSD, and we wanted to share the results with you! The Procedure CalmiGo was distributed to 29 male Israeli army veterans who had PTSD and anxiety as a result of combat-related physical or mental trauma. The participants were asked preliminary questionnaires about their demographics, a diagnostic on general anxiety level (GAD-7), and a diagnostic on PTSD level (PCL-5). The veterans were instructed to use CalmiGo three times a day for three minutes each time and were asked to complete the validated anxiety and PTSD questionnaires after 1, 2, and 4 weeks. The Results Remarkably, the participants in the study experienced not only a rapid reduction in both their PTSD and anxiety symptoms but also reported long-lasting relief while using the CalmiGo. Participants went from moderate-high anxiety levels to mild-moderate anxiety levels after just one week of use. PTSD symptoms were also drastically decreased. These improvements were not only true for the average across the entire group, but also for almost every single individual in the study. On the graph below, each dot represents an individual participant in the study. We see that almost all the dots are below the 45-degree line, indicating an improvement in PTSD and anxiety symptoms for almost all the individuals participating in the study. To conclude, this study suggests that CalmiGo provides a new drug-free method for PTSD and anxiety relief.

Stress. Everyone deals with it. Whether it’s due to increasing responsibilities at work, a death of a loved one, or a big life transition, stress is almost inevitable during some time of your life. But it’s when stress starts to stick around daily that it begins to affect your health, physically and mentally. But even if you think that your stress is only affecting you, it can also cause problems for the people around you and the relationships you have. Here are the three main ways that chronic stress can manifest in your life: Mentally Do you find yourself feeling constantly anxious or moody? Maybe you’re more irritable than usual. Stress can sometimes be so overwhelming that it can be difficult to feel motivated to do something as simple as getting out of bed in the morning. When you’re not at your best mentally and emotionally, that can lead to difficulties in your relationships at home and at work.  Physically If you suffer from stress, and especially from chronic stress, you may experience some of the following physical effects: Headaches Stomach aches (including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and ulcers) Insomnia and trouble staying asleep Pain and tension in muscles (especially in the neck and shoulders) Chest pains Behaviorally  To try and cope with stress, some people turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. For some people, stress can lead to overeating or undereating. Some people self-medicate to deal with stress by using alcohol or drugs.  If you see yourself experiencing any of the above things, here’s the good news: you’re not alone, and there’s something you can do about it.  A Few Things You Can Do About Stress When you’re under constant stress, there is a tendency to ignore it or turn to unhealthy ways of coping because that’s all someone might know. There are a lot of methods out there to manage stress, but here are some ideas to get you started:   Start a Fitness Routine  Regular fitness helps boosts your mood. Even if you can only find time to workout a couple of times a week, that boost in endorphins will help you deal with stress. Some people even find it cathartic to channel their stress into their workout routines. Even a quick walk around the block will give you the benefits of exercise and a breath of fresh air.  Practice Self-Care Contrary to popular belief, self-care doesn’t always mean a trip to the spa (though that definitely can help). Take some time to do something that makes you truly happy, like curling up with a cup of tea and a favorite movie, or take your dog (or your friend’s dog) to the dog park. Even just a little bit of time dedicated to decompressing can help you manage with the rest of the stressful week. Talk to Someone  There is no shame in needing to get some of what you’re carrying with you off your chest. Consider taking some time to talk to a trusted friend or family member about your stress, or if you feel like you need more help, therapists can be very helpful with helping people manage their stressful lives. There is no shame in doing what you can to better your physical and mental well-being.  Use Breathing and Relaxation Techniques Personalized breathing techniques are proven to decrease stress significantly. If you have a CalmiGo, take it with you everywhere you go as a reminder to stop and take a few deep breaths. For people experiencing long-term stress, it is recommended that you use CalmiGo 3 times a day for 3 minutes a day. Other types of relaxation techniques that focus on the breath such as yoga and meditation can also be helpful.  Remember – it is not your fault that you are experiencing stress. It happens to just about everyone. But there are things that you can do about it – and with time and dedication, it can get better.

  Let's talk about the word “no” and how it affects the way you converse with other people. First, let's try this exercise – Don't think about polar bears right now. While that may seem like an odd test, it's pretty likely you just thought about polar bears, even for a moment, even though the sentence said not to think of them. Maybe you thought of a cute video you saw on social media or the melting polar icecaps. Wherever your mind went, I'm sure you had your mind focused on polar bears despite the warning, even if was for only a split second. You wouldn't have even contemplated thinking about polar bears a minute before that, but because I asked you not to think about them, you did anyway.     Why did that happen? It happened because our subconscious doesn't understand the word “no” (and, thusly, it avoids the word “don’t" as well). Are you familiar with the situation when, for example, you say to a child “don't put the wet towel on the floor,” and they immediately do? It's not because they’re doing it just to spite you, or because they’re testing boundaries (even though they might be); it's usually because our subconscious doesn't understand the word “no.” And, like in the polar bear exercise, our subconscious omits the words ‘no' and 'don't' and hears the rest. This occurrence is especially frustrating in our communication with children because we are supposed to be teaching them what not to do, but it's true for any person who we communicate with.   Because of these miscommunications, it creates unnecessary stress – we think we’re asking our loved ones and children to do one thing, but their subconscious is telling them to do the exact opposite. The differences in what each person has perceived as being communicated to them can contribute to stress and anxiety in relationships on both ends. So, what can you do? It’s actually pretty simple. Replace the ‘no' with the ‘yes' (or the 'don't' with a 'do') to enlist their (and your) subconscious and get it to cooperate. For example, with children: instead of saying "don't put the wet towel on the floor," say, "please hang the wet towel in the bathroom." Or, instead of "don't bite your sister" say, "if you feel that you need to bite, chew on a carrot." Changing the way we speak, from 'no' to 'yes,' requires some practice but enables us to create an alternative for the child. It also helps to direct them towards what they should be doing, instead of leaving them focused on what we didn't want them to do without any replacement (which will usually cause them to perform the undesired action repeatedly). It also enables us to remain calmer and with fewer frustrations. There's a trick for removing the word 'no' from your conversations with adults too. Instead of saying, "don't forget to call me before you arrive," you can say, for example, "please call me ten minutes before you are due to arrive." In the first scenario, you're reinforcing their ability to forget the message you are trying to get across. Another example would be to avoid saying "don't leave the presentation open on your desktop when you finish." Instead, say "please close the presentation when you finish." In this manner, we are doing the maximum to enlist the other's subconscious, raise the odds of achieving what we want, and decrease the chances of conflict and excessive anger. And effective communication not only decreases our anxiety, but improves our relationships! Are “no” and “don’t” commonly used words in your vocabulary? I’d love to hear what you think if you try out this exercise. Leave a comment below with your thoughts. I look forward to reading them!   // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('collection', { id: 459480525, node: document.getElementById('collection-component-9072cfc8984'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "buttonDestination": "modal", "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "options": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "text": { "button": "VIEW PRODUCT" }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" }, "imgWrapper": { "position": "relative", "height": "0", "padding-top": "calc(75% + 15px)" }, "img": { "height": "calc(100% - 15px)", "position": "absolute", "left": "0", "right": "0", "top": "0" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "background-color": "#32beaa", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "count": { "font-size": "15px" } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]> // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('product', { id: [1562056523858], node: document.getElementById('product-component-4b1b30edc4a'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" } } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]>

A few weeks ago I had a work meeting with a psychiatrist. We discussed CalmiGo and other natural treatments for anxiety and he mentioned that he is always surprised by the fact that people come to see him, requesting medication for anxiety, while holding their just-bought coffee mug. I then realized that many people are not really aware of the effect of Caffeine on their anxiety level and decided we should dedicate a blog post to that. Why Is Caffeine Affecting Your Anxiety? Caffeine is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive drug. Drinking caffeine in moderation has some health benefits but too much caffeine can lead to increased anxiety or complicate an existing anxiety disorder by aggravating the symptoms  For people who are more sensitive to caffeine or for those who regularly suffer from anxiety disorders, the caffeine effect on stress and anxiety levels can be significant. Here are some of the ways anxiety is linked to excessive caffeine consumption: Insomnia – Depending on the time of the day you're consuming caffeine, the stimulant may affect your ability to get to sleep at night. The fact is, caffeine can stay in your system for up to six hours. Not enough sleep/bad sleep can extremely affect your mental health and stress level. Elevated Stress Hormones – Caffeine elevates the level of the stress hormones Cortisol and Epinephrine up to double the normal levels! To better feel it, think of the things that happen when you drink a lot of coffee or soda – your heart rate increases and your blood pressure goes up - these are all similar signs to those of high-stress level. Cause of Mental Disorders – DSM-5, the American Psychiatric Association’s standard guide of mental disorders, includes 4 disorders that are linked to excessive caffeine consumption:  caffeine-induced anxiety disorder, caffeine intoxication,  caffeine-induced sleep disorder, caffeine withdrawal Inhibits the calming Neurotransmitter GABA – GABA, the neurotransmitter which makes people feel relaxed and happy, becomes lower in levels with the introduction of caffeine into the system. Caffeine may also reduce serotonin in the body. Counteractions with Anti-Anxiety Medications – Caffeine may affect the efficacy of some medications. Anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills are among them. In addition, there is a list of more than 90 medications that should not be taken together with caffeine. Some people take longer to metabolize caffeine than others. If you're one of these people, you likely have a sensitivity to caffeine. This sensitivity may make you more prone to the effects of caffeine, from insomnia to a racing heartbeat. Where is caffeine hiding? The first step in being able to reduce caffeine consumption is to be aware of all of the places caffeine is present. A few of the more common places where caffeine is found include: Coffee Tea Chocolate Energy drinks Soda Pain killers (especially headache medicine) You may be surprised when you start reading the labels on certain foods, drinks, and medications. How to reduce caffeine without missing the things you like You probably love your coffee and we get it. There is no need to completely cut your coffee, there are some ways in which you can minimize caffeine effect and still enjoy your cup of coffee. Time Your Caffeine Consumption Properly – Cortisol (the stress hormone) levels are higher in the morning. Therefore, drinking your first cup a little later in the day, and at least an hour after you wake up, may decrease the caffeine effect on your stress and anxiety levels. In addition, make sure there is a six-hour span of time between your last cup of coffee (or soda) and your bedtime. Substitute a few of your Coffee cups with other tasty alternatives – Cacao, decaf coffee, and even caffeine-free tea can all be great substitutes. I myself love making Cacao using unsweetened almond milk and Agave as a sweetener. This way you enjoy the health benefits of Cacao and cut on caffeine and sugar.    Limit Caffeine –  Follow the guideline of up to 400 mg of caffeine per day (unless you are pregnant or has other special restrictions) in order to keep anxiety levels lowered.  This is equivalent to about 3 cups of coffee.   // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('collection', { id: 459480525, node: document.getElementById('collection-component-9072cfc8984'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "buttonDestination": "modal", "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "options": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "text": { "button": "VIEW PRODUCT" }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" }, "imgWrapper": { "position": "relative", "height": "0", "padding-top": "calc(75% + 15px)" }, "img": { "height": "calc(100% - 15px)", "position": "absolute", "left": "0", "right": "0", "top": "0" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "background-color": "#32beaa", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "count": { "font-size": "15px" } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); 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Feeling anxious or stressed? Some of it could be related to your diet. Next week on Friday we'll take a look at some of the foods you can eat that will help you relieve stress, but for now, let's look at foods that may be adding to your stress. Sugar – When you're already feeling the effects of stress and anxiety, refined sugar can increase your bad mood. It gives you an energy high when you first eat it, but the crash will leave you feeling even worse. Carbs – Certain carbs are rich in starch and give you a blood sugar spike just like refined sugar (because your body rapidly converts them into sugar), leading to the same low after your body processes them. Avoid things made with wheat flour, potatoes, etc when you're already feeling stressed. Caffeine – In moderation, caffeine can be a good mood lifter. However, if you drink (or eat) too much, it will add to your anxiety and increase your feelings of stress. It can also cause heart palpitations because of its stimulating nature. // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('collection', { id: 459480525, node: document.getElementById('collection-component-9072cfc8984'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "buttonDestination": "modal", "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "options": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "text": { "button": "VIEW PRODUCT" }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" }, "imgWrapper": { "position": "relative", "height": "0", "padding-top": "calc(75% + 15px)" }, "img": { "height": "calc(100% - 15px)", "position": "absolute", "left": "0", "right": "0", "top": "0" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "background-color": "#32beaa", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "count": { "font-size": "15px" } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]> // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('product', { id: [1562056523858], node: document.getElementById('product-component-4b1b30edc4a'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" } } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]>

Where does your mind go when you are stressed or anxious? Let's talk about the things that stress makes us think, which are often not truthful thoughts, and a small trick that can make a difference.  Stress often gives rise to negative thoughts. You worry about what you did or didn't do. You spend time ruminating over mistakes, or perceived mistakes you've made (often we decide our actions were wrong without proof). All of this increases your stress. One very helpful thing to do in stressful times is the following short exercise:  Take a few minutes and think about situations/challenges you've overcome in the past  Make a list of the abilities that helped you overcome these challenges - it can be your humor, your ability to ask for help when you need it, or perhaps a hobby that ‘charges your inner batteries’ and brings back your focus.  Take a few minutes every day to remind yourself of these abilities of yours and add a few more to the list This short exercise will help you build your resilience and decrease your stress.  Tell us how it worked out for you! 

One of the key areas of health affected by stress is cognition. Stress may make it difficult for you to focus on cognitive tasks, be it reading writing and programming or driving and operating heavy machinery. This can lead to reduce in productivity and even to accidents and injury to yourself or others. Stress causes constant worrying. You may spend time ruminating on things you said and did, and you may worry about your job, your relationships, and your health. Spending too much time under the weight of stress may lead to anxiety and depression. If you are suffering from one of the symptoms described above don't let your stress be in control – Talk to your doctor and try stress relief alternatives.

Work stress is something that nearly everyone suffers from occasionally. There are all sorts of things that can stress you out when you're on the job. You could be having a bad personal day that follows you to work. Your boss or coworkers could be having bad days, and they may take that negativity out on you and others. Stress at work may lead to burnout if left unchecked, therefore, it is strongly recommended to take some time each day to find some calm. You can do this by taking a short break when things start to get stressful. On your break, do one or more of the following: Go for a walk outside – Just a short walk and some fresh air will be enough to help you find some peace of mind. Take a meditation break – Meditation techniques are an effective way to bring some mental calm to your day. Use CalmiGo – CalmiGo is portable and easy to use. Keep your device on you or at your desk during the workday for a quick relaxing breathing session that requires no more than 3 minutes.                                           Privay Policy         Terms & Conditions    // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('collection', { id: 459480525, node: document.getElementById('collection-component-27c66c39976'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "buttonDestination": "modal", "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "options": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "text": { "button": "VIEW PRODUCT" }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" }, "imgWrapper": { "position": "relative", "height": "0", "padding-top": "calc(75% + 15px)" }, "img": { "height": "calc(100% - 15px)", "position": "absolute", "left": "0", "right": "0", "top": "0" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "background-color": "#32beaa", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "count": { "font-size": "15px" } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]>

Did you know that over 40% of Americans suffer from vitamin D deficiency? Vitamin D deficiency could be linked to several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer as well as to stress. Spring is here, so now is the perfect time to go outside, enjoy some sunlight and fresh air, and boost your vitamin D levels. It doesn't matter whether you walk around the block, walk the trails at a local park, or spend some time in your own yard – just get outdoors. The fresh air will help you feel cleansed and motivated! Here are some things to do while you're enjoying the outdoors this month: Prepare for your gardening projects for this year Visit with the neighbors Walk to the store or your favorite park Rake any leaves that are now uncovered since the snow melted Sweep your sidewalks Just sit outside and read a good book Fifteen minutes in the sun will give you a healthy, natural dose of vitamin D, which will help to lift your spirits and motivate you to enjoy the rest of your day!

A vacation trip is meant to be a time for fun and joy, but there are plenty of things about taking time off from work and away from home that can cause stress and anxiety. Before you even start packing for a vacation, read these tips to help you have a less stressful time, no matter where you're going for your respite. Put Work Aside One of the biggest mistakes many people often make when it comes to vacationing is not “cleaning their desk” before they leave. This metaphor can mean a few things when it comes to walking away from work for a family or personal vacation. First, clean up your to-do list at your workspace. This will keep you from thinking about work so much when you're supposed to be enjoying your time away. Second, make sure the people you work with know that you're heading to vacation. Have someone filling in for you with anything urgent that may come up while you're gone. Lastly, set up a vacation response on your email and on your voicemail. These three things will give you peace of mind while you're on vacation and will help you avoid needing to make business calls when you should be lounging on the beach or learning to surf. Make a Packing List, and Check It at Least Twice Always write down all of the things you need with you on your trip. This is important whether you're vacationing alone or taking your family with you. Some things can easily be bought once you reach your destinations, like a tube of toothpaste or a pair of shorts, but it will be difficult to get your hands on things like prescription medication. Check the list twice before you even start packing, making sure everything you need is on it. Then, check your packed items a second time while checking off the items on the list. Charge Your Batteries Charge your phone, make sure you have chargers packed for phones and other devices. You also want YOUR batteries charged. Don't spend the night before you leave fretting about what you may have forgotten – if you follow the tips above you probably won't forget anything important. A rested body and mind are less likely to create more stress when you head off to your trip.     Check All of Your Flight, Train, and Mapping Information Before You Even Leave Home Make sure you know your boarding times. You don't want to miss your train or your flight (talk about stress)! If you're not flying or taking a train, double check all of your addresses and make sure to have them handy. Don't Put Too Much On Your Itinerary One thing that may guarantee a lot of stress and is completely under your own control is scheduling too many things to do. When you're planning your vacation itinerary, consider that you'll need bathroom breaks, time to eat, time to travel between destinations, and you want to make sure you make time to allow both your mind and body to relax. If you allow room for these things in between each destination, you'll be less likely to end up stressed. Make Sure Everyone on Vacation with You Is on the Same Page If you're vacationing alone, you only have yourself to deal with. When vacationing with friends, family, or a romantic partner, you need to consider everyone else when it comes to making plans. Vacationing with children can be extra stressful. Make sure that your children, and everyone else on the trip with you for that matter, knows the plan and is on the same page. Don't be the one to pick all of the destinations – allow everyone else to have a good time too by letting them have a say in where this trip takes you. Understand Anxiety There may be some anxiety just at the thought of going on a trip in the first place. You or someone in your family may be afraid of flying. Maybe one of your children is prone to motion sickness. When it comes to these types of anxiety issues, consider a natural treatment for stress symptoms such as CalmiGo that is portable and can be used on-the-go. // <![CDATA[ (function e(){var e=document.createElement("script");e.type="text/javascript",e.async=!0, e.src="//staticw2.yotpo.com/urXKD4gswlKbIo3XzgPQyMrZDNTlATTLawbt9Mse/widget.js";var t=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(e,t)})(); // ]]>

Living in a cluttered house can increase your stress and anxiety. You might feel anxious each time you have company coming to visit, or when you walk in the house to dirty dishes and baskets full of laundry after a long day at work. There are many things you can do in your home to help relieve stress and anxiety naturally, and get started on spring cleaning. If you've watched shows like “Hoarders” or the new “Tidying Up,” you know some of the steps that will make you happier in your home. If you haven't, this post will help. Get Rid of Clutter How cluttered is your home? Unless you're a minimalist and/or you always put stuff away immediately after you use it, you probably have some clutter. Clutter is the stuff that always seems to get in the way – collections that have no use, items that you no longer need, things that have no “home” in your home. Getting rid of clutter comes in a few steps. First, you should go through everything. Then, you need to separate things into categories. Finally, you deal with the categories/piles. Make a sell or donate pile (or both), a keep pile, and have a trash can ready for the “garbage.” Anything that can no longer be used should go to the garbage or recycling bin. If you don't want something, but someone else could use it, donate it (or sell it if it's worth anything). If you are keeping it, put it away! Starting spring off with a clutter-free home will take a weight off your shoulders, and it will let you spend more time doing other fun things – like getting outside and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. Find a Home for Everything Putting things away requires that you have a place for those things in your home. Don't just throw stuff in storage containers – gives things a place where they can be seen and used. Organize cupboards and drawers. There are some excellent tips for storing items in your home on the show “Tidying Up,” which is streaming on Netflix right now. Use small boxes inside drawers to organize things, from kitchen utensils to socks. Fold your clothing and place each item into the drawers in a way that allows you to see all the contents. When you do put items in storage containers, invest in see-through ones so that you can see what's inside.     Clean Your Home Efficiently Cleaning the house can be overwhelming, especially if you've allowed things to get under control. A clean home is a natural stress reliever – and this includes a home that smells clean. Put the clothes away as soon as they're washed and dried. Wash your clothing as soon as the laundry basket is full. Do the dishes after every meal. Teach your kids to put their toys away as soon as they're done playing. Schedule other things, like cleaning the bathroom or vacuuming the living room. Have the days marked on a calendar so that you don't forget! Use incense or air mist to keep your home smelling fresh. Once spring weather does arrive, take some time to let the fresh air in. Nothing beats fresh air inside a home that has been stale and stagnant all winter. It is recommended to those living in relatively mild weather to occasionally aerate the house during winter as well.  Life Is Happier When It's Clutter-Free Don't let the cleaning and organizing ahead of you overwhelm you. Just get to it, and before you know it, you'll be relaxing in your clean and clutter-free home, enjoying the fresh spring breeze coming through your window.   // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('collection', { id: 459480525, node: document.getElementById('collection-component-9072cfc8984'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "buttonDestination": "modal", "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "options": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "text": { "button": "VIEW PRODUCT" }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" }, "imgWrapper": { "position": "relative", "height": "0", "padding-top": "calc(75% + 15px)" }, "img": { "height": "calc(100% - 15px)", "position": "absolute", "left": "0", "right": "0", "top": "0" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "background-color": "#32beaa", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "count": { "font-size": "15px" } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]> // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('product', { id: [1562056523858], node: document.getElementById('product-component-4b1b30edc4a'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" } } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]>

According to recent studies, about 30 percent of those diagnosed with ADHD have anxiety as well. In adults, that percentage can be as high as 50 percent. Symptoms of mental health disorders such as anxiety can sometimes be masked by ADHD symptoms. In addition, a coexistence of anxiety and ADHD may severely impact one’s life quality and overall wellbeing. Interestingly, the link between ADHD and anxiety is even stronger: studies found that parents of kids with ADHD are also at greater risk for anxiety and depression.   Comparing Symptoms of ADHD and Anxiety ADHD is a chronic medical disorder largely determined by genetics. The genetic basis of ADHD is almost as strong as that for height. In the past, it was common to define three types of ADHD: Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive, and a Combined Type. Six ago, when DSM-5 was released, it was decided to define ADHD as a single disorder. This is mainly because most people with ADHD go through all the three ADHD types during their lifetime. The Symptoms of ADHD which belong to the Inattentive dimension include: Not listening or paying attention Making mistakes Being easily distracted and forgetful Having difficulty following instructions. The Symptoms of ADHD which belong to the Hyperactive-Impulsive dimension include: Fidgeting An inability to sit still Interrupting and talking out of turn Blurting things out in class without being asked to give an answer. Anxiety, on the other hand, is the most common mental disorder affecting more than 20% of the US population. There are numerous forms of anxiety disorders. Common anxiety symptoms include: Chronic feelings of worry Feeling restless or nervous Accelerated heart rate and rapid breathing Shaky hands and sweaty palms Racing thoughts Dizziness and weakness Inability to focus thoughts or to focus on anything but one specific trigger  It is easy to see that some symptoms are shared between both of these diagnoses, including trouble concentrating or paying attention and an inability to relax or find calm.Therefore, for people with ADHD it may be difficult to recognize the symptoms of anxiety. How Anxiety and ADHD interact ADHD can create or worsen anxiety as adult/children with ADHD tend to be worried about the consequences of their ADHD symptoms. They often fear that their ADHD won’t allow them to succeed in school, exams, or work; they may also fear being humiliated or confronting the reactions of others.  In addition, the need to cope with the school/work systems and meet expectations puts a lot of load on them and may lead to stress and/or anxiety for them and their families. Anxiety, on the other hand, might worsen ADHD symptoms since constant worry and the related physical symptoms make it even harder to concentrate and focus.   Telling the Two Apart Not all people with ADHD have anxiety, as can be seen by the statistics mentioned above. But, if the inability to focus seems to be triggered by specific situations, instead of a more constant issue, it could be a sign of anxiety. If your child (or you) have been diagnosed with ADHD, but you feel like there might be other underlying issues, take some time to look at your child/your symptoms and make sure to be open about them when talking to your physician/therapist.   Natural Treatments to Increase Concentration and Reduce Stress Adequate sleep, sufficient physical exercise, and proper nutrition all can improve ADHD and anxiety/stress symptoms, as does the practice of relaxation techniques. Several studies show that rhythmic, paced breathing balances the autonomic nervous system and therefore can help you become more attentive and more relaxed at the same time. This is especially important for people with ADHD or with stress/anxiety. While some of the relaxation techniques can be time-consuming, not applicable for children, and/or hard to integrate into a daily routine, there are some easy to use solutions that enhance calm and concentrations (such as CalmiGo) which can be used anytime, anywhere, and can be very useful to achieve mind and body relaxation in a very short time. Whatever natural solution you are choosing, make sure to practice it for the first few times in a state of calm. 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Stress is a normal reaction all people have to life experiences. Many things can cause a stress reaction, from work issues to problems at home. People react differently to stress, but we all suffer from it at a certain point in our lives. Understanding stress begins with knowing where it comes from. Stress is triggered by your fight or flight response, which is a function of the central nervous system. This system tells your brain to release cortisol and adrenaline when something makes you feel fear or anxiety. Once the thing causing your stress is gone, your body normally goes back to normal.  If for some reason the body doesn't go back to normal, chronic stress might develop. Chronic stress can cause health issues, from heart problems to immune deficiency. Easy Things to Help Relieve Stress Naturally If you're in need of some instant stress relief, there are some things you can do to help find calm and relieve anxiety. Don't be a victim of stress – do what you can to relieve your anxiety and fear. 1. Get Some Exercise A brisk workout will tell your brain to release the ‘feel-good’ hormones, endorphins, which help you find happiness naturally. This is a great way to find natural anxiety relief without medication because it's good for your entire body. Even a moderate workout gets your blood flowing, helps your heart, and can help you feel more positive about life. Even if a brisk workout isn't in the works, a simple walk around the block can help you feel better. Not only do you get to workout, but you'll get some much-needed fresh air, and you can spend some time enjoying the outdoors in general. 2. Focus on a Hobby The right hobby can make a huge difference in how stress and anxiety affect you. Think about how you feel when you're doing something you enjoy. Most likely you forget about your troubles and the world around you, and you focus on the task at hand. That focus will help you relax, bring your heart rate down, and help you attenuate the effect of your fears on your life. Some great hobbies for stress and anxiety relief include reading, knitting, gardening, yoga, painting, drawing, and running. Any hobby that brings you joy will work. 3. Use Aromatherapy Relaxing scents can bring calm, relieve stress and headaches, and bring you peace of mind. There are many relaxing scents, pick the ones you like best to use in your aroma diffuser. Diffusers offer an easy way to get your favorite scent in the air without the smoke of incense or the flames of a candle (although those are both great options as well). One of the best scents when it comes to relieving stress and anxiety naturally is lavender. This mint family member is relaxing enough to ease the most stressful of headaches, help you get to sleep even when you have insomnia, and it will calm your nerves during moments of distress. 4. Use Your Breath Breathing exercises can offer natural relaxation without medication. Several studies show that rhythmic paced breathing balances the autonomic nervous system and therefore can help you become more attentive and more relaxed at the same time. The key is to focus on rhythm to your breathing and extend the exhalation length. Breathing this way is relaxing, and it balances the amount of carbon dioxide in your system – too much CO2 in the body can cause rapid heartbeat and other issues. While guided meditations are one way to learn relaxing breathing techniques, not everyone enjoys meditation or are able to find the time to integrate it into their daily routine. Devices like CalmiGo, which combines personalized breathing techniques with a relaxing scent and multi-sensory stimulation, are an excellent way to enhance relaxation in as few as 3 minutes whenever and wherever you need it.  The next time anxiety and stress begin to overwhelm you, use one of these four instant techniques and regain your calm! // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('collection', { id: 459480525, node: document.getElementById('collection-component-27c66c39976'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "buttonDestination": "modal", "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "options": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "text": { "button": "VIEW PRODUCT" }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" }, "imgWrapper": { "position": "relative", "height": "0", "padding-top": "calc(75% + 15px)" }, "img": { "height": "calc(100% - 15px)", "position": "absolute", "left": "0", "right": "0", "top": "0" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "background-color": "#32beaa", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "count": { "font-size": "15px" } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]>

Valentine's Day can be a day full of fun and enjoyment, but it can also be a day of great stress and anxiety. If you're single, Valentine's Day may bring anxiety because you worry about being alone (or, if you're happy being alone, what other people may think). If you're in a relationship, Valentine's Day can bring anxiety for other reasons – maybe you aren't sure what to do for your romantic partner, maybe you can't afford to do anything, or perhaps your relationship has hit a rough patch. Don't let your anxiety take over this romantic holiday. Find new ways to celebrate, by celebrating yourself! 1. Treat Yourself One great thing you can do to help relieve the anxiety of Valentine's Day, whether you're single or not, is to treat yourself. Do something that is just for you – take a spa day or splurge on a new outfit. If money is an issue, spend a relaxing day at home eating your favorite food and doing something you love. 2. Set Expectations You can lessen the amount of possible stress due to Valentine's Day by setting reasonable expectations. If you're single, set them for yourself – like understanding that things can be fun for you on Valentine's Day, even when you don't have a significant other. If you're in a relationship, you can set mutual expectations regarding gifts and plans, so neither one of you feels like they're getting less than expected. You also don't want to feel burdened with financial stress. 3. Understand the Different Types of Love Valentine's Day is a day for celebrating friendship and love – not just the romantic kind. There are many types of love. Celebrate platonic love with your friends and familial love with your family members. Even if you don't have a romantic partner, there are people you love in your life – enjoy this day with them! 4. Find Relaxation Take some time to relax before, during, and after any Valentine's Day plans you have. If you start feeling anxious on your date, take a moment to breathe. Natural stress relief like meditation and breathing exercises can help ease your jitters. Don't forget to take your CalmiGo with you as a natural way for calming down when stress kicks in. Stress and anxiety can get in the way of your feelings of love and romance, but there are things you can do to keep the stress at bay. 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Anxiety makes you focus on something that harms you – a thought or action that makes you nervous and uncomfortable. What if you could focus instead on something that makes you calm? Art has an amazing way of drawing a person's attention away from the outside world and into your own imagination. There are many ways in which you can use art to help you find relaxation when you're feeling anxious. Relieving Stress With More Art in Your Life By learning to express yourself and your emotions through drawing, painting, and other forms of art, you can begin to let go of the things that are causing you to experience fear – you learn to face them and see them in a different way. Even if creating art isn't your “thing,” you can still find stress relief in art. Here are some of the ways art can help ease your mind and bring you to a calmer state. Making Art Making art can be cathartic and relaxing. It can also engage your emotions, depending on the type of art you're making, and the emotions you choose to put into it. You can use the creation of art to let your anger or fear out. You can use it to discover feelings you didn't realize you have. You can also use artistic creation to help you achieve relaxation – something that can be found with painting especially (just go for abstract, don't worry about it being a masterpiece).     Crafting Crafting is a creative art form on its own. Taking up a craft as a hobby is an excellent way to switch your mind off of negative or anxious thoughts. Plus, there are so many options for crafting, you're certain to find something that can calm you down. Some excellent crafting ideas that will allow you to focus on the art and find some relief from your anxiety include - Knitting or crocheting Pottery Scrapbooking Card making Candle or soap making Each of these things not only gives your mind and senses something new to focus on, but you're creating something that wasn't there before. That is such an amazing feeling. Enjoying Art If you don't feel like you have an artistic bone in your body, don't fret. There are still art options that will help you naturally relieve stress and anxiety without medications. Plus, using art as therapy isn't about creating something that will sell, find a home in a gallery, or turn you into the next Picasso. Much like the library, art museums are pretty quiet places. That's because people go there to contemplate art – rather than to talk about life and their problems. Art museums offer a great place for you to experience silence and calm. Big or small, spend some time at a local art fair or an art museum and look closely at the art that is there, see how it makes you feel, ponder what the artist may have been feeling or expressing while they were creating. Be inspired. Be calm. // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('collection', { id: 459480525, node: document.getElementById('collection-component-9072cfc8984'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "buttonDestination": "modal", "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "options": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "text": { "button": "VIEW PRODUCT" }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" }, "imgWrapper": { "position": "relative", "height": "0", "padding-top": "calc(75% + 15px)" }, "img": { "height": "calc(100% - 15px)", "position": "absolute", "left": "0", "right": "0", "top": "0" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "background-color": "#32beaa", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "count": { "font-size": "15px" } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]> // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('product', { id: [1562056523858], node: document.getElementById('product-component-4b1b30edc4a'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" } } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]>

You may not realize that walking is a natural stress reliever, among other things. Walking does many good things to your body and mind. While walking on your treadmill is good for your health, taking a walk in the great outdoors offers even more. Why You Need to Get Outside and Walk Fresh air and sunshine provide many benefits for the human body and mind. Here are 4 things that a brisk (or even a slow and gentle) walk outside can do for you. 1. Give You More Energy Time outside, in the fresh air, will give you energy. A lot of times, when you're experiencing anxiety and depression, all you need for a boost is a little bit of exercise. Walking doesn't have to be all about a “workout,” though, it can be about enjoying a stroll around your neighborhood. You don't need to think about how many miles you're walking or how long you're walking either – just get outside. 2. Reduce Your Cortisol level Cortisol is the stress hormone which is secreted as a result of an increase in our stress level (and also during an intense workout; we are going to have another blog post about that  - stay tuned!). Chronic high levels of cortisol decrease muscle mass and increase body fat. Being outside in the fresh air and taking a short walk will help you to reduce your Cortisol level and decrease your stress.   3. Help You Clear Your Mind Fresh air offers one of the best ways to clear your mind. Some people get their best ideas when they're taking a walk in nature. Use time in the outdoors, walking, to clear your thoughts and let some new ideas in. 4. Let You Get Closer to Nature When you last saw a squirrel chittering in a tree, what was your reaction? You probably smiled. That's because nature makes us happy. There are many things in nature that can make you smile. You've heard the saying, “stop and smell the flowers.” Well, taking some time to stop and enjoy the scent of a local lilac bush can ease your mind, remind you of happy days of childhood, and even calm your nerves. Are You Ready to Walk? Now that you know that walking is a perfect natural stress relief, it's time to prepare for a walk. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes with the right amount of support. Know the area you're walking in (for safety). On hot days, it's important to stay hydrated, so have some water with you. And be prepared to find some relaxation while you stroll along the road or path.  You can walk around your neighborhood or go to a walking path at your local park. 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The new year offers an opportunity to think of all the changes we would like to do in the coming year. For many of us, living a healthier lifestyle will probably top the list of new year’s resolutions. By living a healthier lifestyle, you will struggle less with stress and anxiety, you will have more energy, you will visit the doctor less, and you might even live longer. A Deeper Look at Making Healthier Changes Healthy changes don’t happen overnight, it takes time and dedication. Remember to be kind to yourself. If you fall off the diet-wagon or miss a couple of days of working out, get back on track without chastising yourself. You deserve a break now and then anyway and compassion towards ourselves is considered to be one of the important factors in our ability to do a change.  Creating a healthy life is a journey – it's a path you will travel that will change who you are (for the better). Here are the steps to take to transform your life into a healthier one. Define Your Ultimate Goal Before you can start your journey to a healthier lifestyle, you need to know where you want that journey to lead - this will be your ultimate goal. Do you want to be more energetic? Do you want to look better? Do you want to be healthier? Maybe your goal is to relieve stress – you are on edge every day, and you feel like stress and anxiety are the reason for your weight gain, improper diet, and your vice of smoking cigarettes. Find the real source for your motivation     Set SMART Goals Once you know what is the ultimate goal you would like to achieve, you can set your intermediate goals. These will help give you the drive needed to change your life successfully. We recommend using the SMART goal-setting methods credited to both Peter Drucker (1954) and G.T. Doran (1991) - in order to set effective goals. SMART goals are: Specific - be as specific as possible. For example, if your ultimate goal is stress reduction and you decided to achieve it by working out, define exactly which type of workout are you interested in doing (for example, running and practicing Yoga). Measurable - set measurable goals. For instance, if you decided to run and practice Yoga, define exactly how many times per week. Achievable - make sure to set goals which fit your routine and schedule. You know yourself and your schedule the best. Maybe you heard that morning workout are the best in order to burn fat but if you are not a morning person or if your morning routine is messy, it might be better to set the goal as “working out 4 times a week after work”. Realistic - To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective towards which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both ambitious and realistic. You are the only one who can decide just how challenging your goal should be. But be sure that every goal represents substantial progress. Time-bound - Set a timeline to achieve your goal and/or to measure your progress.  Think Positively The final step in your journey towards a healthier life is to think positively. Everyone has negative thoughts, and it's likely you'll experience self-doubt at some point. When those negative thoughts (‘I can't do this’, ‘I'm not going to succeed’) sneak into your mind, use affirmations to kick them out. An affirmation is a positive statement, such as “I am good enough, and I will succeed.” It is always in the present tense, always starts with “I am…” and it's always positive - “I am beautiful, and my radiance is seen by those around me.” Not only will affirmations help, but reading positive quotes can boost your mood and help melt away stress and anxiety. Mainly, you need to focus on the change you want to make in your life and visualize your life as if you've already attained your goals. That is how you'll journey into a healthier you! // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('collection', { id: 459480525, node: document.getElementById('collection-component-9072cfc8984'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "buttonDestination": "modal", "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "options": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "text": { "button": "VIEW PRODUCT" }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" }, "imgWrapper": { "position": "relative", "height": "0", "padding-top": "calc(75% + 15px)" }, "img": { "height": "calc(100% - 15px)", "position": "absolute", "left": "0", "right": "0", "top": "0" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "background-color": "#32beaa", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "count": { "font-size": "15px" } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]> // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('product', { id: [1562056523858], node: document.getElementById('product-component-4b1b30edc4a'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" } } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]>

People that own pets, whether it's a dog or cat, or some other type of furry or scaly pet, know that these critters offer comfort (and so much more). Indeed, studies have shown that pets offer more than just companionship. They help improve mental health, physical well-being, and more. How Pets Help Us You've probably had an experience where it seemed like your dog or cat somehow knew you were in a bad mood or feeling depressed and they seemed to give you extra attention, as though they wanted to help you get through this rough time. Whether or not your pet has some sixth-sense telling them when you need extra comfort, they offer it. Here are some of the things by which having pets can improve your life: 1. They Reduce Your Stress Level and Blood Pressure When you stress about things, it increases your heart rate and even raises your blood pressure. Pets help reduce both stress and blood pressure. When you're in a panic, petting your furry friend offers natural stress relief. Yes, sometimes pets can be stressful too, but if you train your pet well and take good care of them, they will take care of you too. 2. They Increase Your Joy Dogs and cats, and even rabbits and snakes do things that make us laugh. Laughter is a great medicine. It decreases stress and it could even help you lose weight (yes, laughing at your dog trying to fit all his toys in his mouth at once burns calories for you). 3. They Offer Comfort and Companionship All pets, big and small, offer some companionship. Having a pet wards-off the feeling of loneliness.     4. They Motivate You Pets offer motivation too. Dog owners can attest to this the most. Dogs need exercise, and exercise is a natural way to beat anxiety and stress. In general, pets motivate us to get up and do something. Even small pets that live in cages most of their lives need food, cleaning, and attention. Allowing A Pet Into Your Life Don't take getting a pet lightly. All pets, no matter their size, need care and attention. 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When it comes to holiday stress and anxiety, we sometimes focus more on ourselves, and we may overlook the stress that our children experience. Kids can be affected by our anxiety, but they have plenty of their own as well. A lot is going on around holiday time, and that hustling can negatively affect our children. There are natural remedies for anxiety that can help your child beat the holiday stress and blues. 1. Set A Routine Having a set routine for your child is a great way to help naturally reduce stress. Panic relief at home begins with avoiding surprises and stress. The holidays are a time when routines seem to go out the window for most people. Your busy holiday can quickly increase your child's stress and anxiety. Set a schedule for them and stick with it. The fewer surprises, the better. Don't over-schedule either – remember, there are only so many hours in the day and only so many days in the week/month. 2. Focus on Diet and Fitness A healthy diet and a steady exercise routine are two of the best ways to get anxiety relief without drugs. Make sure that your child is continuing to eat balanced meals throughout the day, even during the holiday season. It can be easy to let them fill up on junk food and sweets, but those items add to their stress. Physical fitness is one of the best natural stress relievers. Bundle your kids up and send them out to play in the snow – even making snow angels is a great fitness exercise. Don't let them spend extra time sleeping and lounging even on holiday break from school – that downtime will only add to their anxiety (and yours). 3. Teach Calm If your child suffers from anxiety or panic attacks when they are overexerted, holidays can be extra stressful. Finding calm is a great way to find panic attack relief without medication. Meditation and breathing exercises are both useful for relieving panic attacks and stress. Consider investing in some guided meditations or doing some Yoga exercises together as part of your quality time. If you find it hard to integrate yoga and meditation into your child routine, a product like CalmiGo that requires only 3 minutes of use that can be done on-the-go might be very useful. By applying natural relaxation techniques, your child can feel calmer throughout the holiday season.    You and your child deserve a chance to enjoy the holidays, rather than spending the entire time feeling anxious or even angry. 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 It doesn't matter if you are doing your first degree, in high-school or even if you are doing your Ph.D. already, exam time can be rough on the nerves for people of all ages. Why do we get nervous when we have to take an exam? Even people that study and feel completely prepared can experience anxiety and stress when they need to take an exam. Your test and exam anxiety could come from a fear of failure. It could come from the fact that you didn't take enough time to prepare for the test. Or, it could be that you've failed previous tests and that mindset leaves you thinking you're going to fail them all. These fears can play games with your mind, and there are symptoms that you'll experience that are signs you're anxious about the tests. Symptoms can happen before you even take the test (just thinking about it), they can happen during the test, and they can even happen after the test (when you're worried about the results). If you're anxious about an exam, you may have some (or all) of the following symptoms: Rapid heartbeat Light-headedness Trouble focusing Stomach discomfort Excessive perspiration Panic attacks Trouble breathing Other body pains (including headaches) These are not the only symptoms, but they give you an idea of what to expect. Knowing these symptoms is one of the first steps to helping you curb that anxiety. Then you can implement these 5 techniques to work toward a more comfortable and confident exam time. 1. Stay Healthy When you're busy cramming for exams, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. Self-care is so important, and it's especially crucial in times of stress and anxiety. Make sure you take a study break from time to time. Use this break time to go for a walk, do some art, or spend some time with your loved ones. Get enough sleep – lacking sleep can add to your stress and anxiety. Take some time to work out and eat healthily. Physical fitness and a healthy diet will ensure you have the energy to study, and a healthy brain so you can stay focused. 2. Focus on Yourself If you look inwardly, you'll better be able to deal with those outward anxieties. Instead of worrying about the poor grade you might get, think of the overall importance of this course, this life lesson, and your own well-being. You are more important than the stress of any exam. Once you are focused toward the inside and at the present moment, you will be focused on things that are under your control, and you will find out that your stress is decreased. You have to take your exams, but those exams are just a small part of your achievements.  3. Celebrate Your Achievements and Success Focusing on negative things is counterproductive. Instead of dwelling on feelings of negativity, celebrate the times you've been successful. Celebrate your achievements in any way that motivates you – whether that means buying yourself something, going out for a drink, or just patting yourself on the shoulder. 4. Use Relaxation Techniques Many different relaxation techniques can help ease the stress and anxiety you feel during exam time. Breathing techniques, aromatherapy, visualization, and meditation are all things that can help. Meditation and visualization can both help out in a pinch, as long as you have a little quiet time (for visualization, picture yourself acing the test easily). Yoga is also an amazing tool that brings health and calm to your mind and body. Although relaxation techniques can be very effective in reducing stress and anxiety, many people find them very hard to integrate into their daily routine. In addition, some of them require your cognitive ability which might be anyway over-occupied during these exams period. To lighten the load, try CalmiGo, an electronic device that combines breathing regulation with multi-sensory stimulation to help you achieve calm quickly and effortlessly in any stressful situation.     5. Visit the Counseling Center Whether in high school or college, there is a school counselor that is there for you in times like these. These people are trained to know the stress that you are under, and they want to help. Counselors can offer you some tips outside of the ones in this article. Depending on your issues, they might be able to work some things out if you have issues with times tests or oral tests.   // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('collection', { id: 459480525, node: document.getElementById('collection-component-9072cfc8984'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "buttonDestination": "modal", "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "options": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "text": { "button": "VIEW PRODUCT" }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" }, "imgWrapper": { "position": "relative", "height": "0", "padding-top": "calc(75% + 15px)" }, "img": { "height": "calc(100% - 15px)", "position": "absolute", "left": "0", "right": "0", "top": "0" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "background-color": "#32beaa", "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, "border-radius": "25px", ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "quantityInput": { "font-size": "15px", "padding-top": "15.5px", "padding-bottom": "15.5px" } } }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "background-color": "#32beaa", ":hover": { "background-color": "#2dab99" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#2dab99" } }, "count": { "font-size": "15px" } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]> // <![CDATA[ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'myreleafshop.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: '0a51cc8652476e45129585d3c813d3e2', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('product', { id: [1562056523858], node: document.getElementById('product-component-4b1b30edc4a'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "variantId": "all", "contents": { "imgWithCarousel": false, "variantTitle": false, "description": false, "buttonWithQuantity": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" } } } }, "cart": { "contents": { "button": true }, "styles": { "footer": { "background-color": "#ffffff" } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "variantTitle": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "button": false, "quantity": false }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } } } }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } } } }); }); } })(); // ]]>

The Magic of Scents  The magic of scents actually begins with your sense of smell. Because of the way your sense of smell works, it is far more powerful than most of us are aware.  Your sense of smell and taste are both chemical senses. Interestingly enough, people who lose their sense of smell often lose their sense of taste. If they don't completely lose it, it is still significantly affected by the inability to smell. The sense of smell is indeed an essential part of the human experience.  However, there is another thing that makes your sense of smell stand out from the other senses – it is the close connection between this sense and the part of your brain that is involved in the creation of memories and feelings. This part of the brain is the often referred to as the limbic system.  This connection of smell to the limbic system is one of the reasons aromatherapy works so well for healing – it directly activates the part of your brain that makes you feel. The magic of scents also helps you remember good things – like your grandma's cooking or the smell of your father's cologne –long after they are gone. Every person has different scents that trigger happy and relaxing memories for them. While lemongreen may bring about memories of grandma's hugs for one person, it may not be as calming a scent for another. The magic of scents can also trigger bad memories. This is true for instance in the case of veterans with PTSD. Studies have found that, although veterans have seen many terrible things, much of their trauma is linked to scent. Some scents have direct therapeutic effects as well. Aroma molecules were shown to change brain activity, as measured by EEG. Lavender, for example, was shown to decrease the activity of the system in our brain that is in charge of stress (the sympathetic system), to elicit relaxation and to increase performance.  How can the magic of scents improve your well being?  Focus on the smells that make you feel relaxed and calm. Find out which scents trigger feelings of calm or feelings of happiness – integrate those scents into your life, especially when you are feeling anxious or stressed. You can use these scents in aroma diffusers, perfumes, candles, and more. They can help with relaxation in general and may help with calming meditation.   Devices like CalmiGo, which combines relaxing breathing techniques with stress relieving aromatherapy, work to ease your worries because they activate the system in your brain that is in charge of relaxation, using breathing and your senses.   The next time anxiety and stress begin to overwhelm you, take a moment to breathe in the scents around you. Is it one of those scents that is triggering your anxiety? 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