This past summer I was diagnosed with chronic anxiety due to an overwhelming amount of stress. The doctor suggested I go on a daily prescription; why, who knows? I mean really—in this day and age, isn’t everyone stressed? from bills, to layoffs, and a handful of other issues. I declined her offer and said I would do this on my own, drug-free. After a weeklong self-assessment I realized my anxiety was highly triggered in the evening. No surprise, considering it’s my busiest time, with juggling two children, after-school activities, a business, freelance projects, grocery shopping, and the list can go on. This meant something had to change.
6:00 pm was reboot time.
Just as a new workday begins, I had to get ready for the next shift. I made the decision to begin preparing ahead of time—thirty minutes early: Packing snacks/lunches, picking out school clothes, running a quick errand, completing last-minute tasks I could do before the chaos hit.
Nothing helps reduce stress more than a quick workout. For me, my exercise of choice is boxing. A fun-filled, high-intensity cardio workout where you can punch your worries away.
By the end of the evening, a much needed bath is in order. Target and Whole Foods has great selections of different bath oils, bubbles, and candles. Enjoying me time without any phones, computers, or e-mails is a great stress reliever and often inspiring.