Using Hygge to Calm Your Anxiety

Hygge is one of those things no one knows how to pronounce or understands what it is. I know this because at work, we all had a good time trying to design a marketing campaign around it. Turns out, that’s pretty difficult when no one can even pronounce it! We all came to the conclusion that it was pronounced “Hue-guh” and not “Higg-ey” like we originally thought. So with that in mind, let’s talk about using Hygge to calm anxiety when it acts up.

What is Hygge?

Before you can live it, you have to understand it. Hygge, according to Wikipedia, is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness with feelings of wellness and contentment. Basically, it means you’re happy and you feel at ease.

Infusing Hygge into Your Life

Cozy blankets, candles lit everywhere, a good meal, a cup of coffee, journaling, a relaxing hobby. All of these and more can contribute to a hygge lifestyle. But an important aspect of hygge is having a space that contributes to serenity and contentment. I think the best place to start isn’t at Bath & Body Works buying a bunch of candles, but at a packing store buying boxes. Decluttering your home and getting rid of things you no longer use or cause anxiety is really important when it comes to perpetuating a relaxing atmosphere.

When I come home from work, I spend about 15 minutes decluttering my space from the night before (or from what my cats and dog have managed to get into during the day). I pick up shoes, bags, cups, and other clutter. After I’ve done this, I go about lighting candles, changing into comfy clothes, and putting on a favorite tv show. Usually I sit down with a comforting meal and settle in for the night.

Hygge extends beyond your home though! I love to keep my desk at work hygge-friendly and even my car! At my desk, I keep it as decluttered as possible and hang postcards from family and friends everywhere. I also keep a blanket at my chair so I can wrap up when I need something soft to help reduce my anxiety.

In my car, I try to keep it clean and smelling fresh with air fresheners and if the weather is nice enough, the moon roof stays open for fresh air!

Hygge Throughout the Year

Hygge is most commonly associated with the winter months but I think it extends throughout the year. Afterall, our anxiety certainly isn’t limited to one season! Use hygge concepts to help your anxiety during spring, summer, and fall too!

Spring hygge ideas: Fresh flowers on the table, lavender lemonade to sip on, open window next to an arm chair with a light blanket draped over it.

Summer hygge ideas: Strawberry salad to munch on, twinkle lights on your porch, basket full of fresh fruit and veggies sitting on the counter, soothing aloe vera for your skin.

Fall hygge ideas: Pumpkin soup on the stove, warm cinnamon latte in a cup, wicker basket filled with soft blankets, slow jazz music playing.

Any moment you can take to slow down and just be content in your space, is hygge driving out feelings of anxiety. Being content and happy is so hard in the world we live in. Happiness is often hard to find, but I’m learning that you can find it in the small things- and that can make all of the difference.

What to Expect for Mental Health in January

Hey everyone! Now that the holidays are behind us, I imagine we’re all trying to refocus our thoughts on our goals for this year and getting back on track with our schedules. I honestly hate stepping outside of my routine as it confuses me not only mentally but physically. My whole body questions my daily life choices during the holidays and it sucks!

So with all that said, I wanted to talk about what our mental health might look like this month! It’s totally different for everyone but I think we all have some sort of common theme in what we experience seasonally! I created this little infographic (because who doesn’t love these?) in hopes that you might be able to commiserate with me!

Does any of this sound like you? I personally identify with Seasonal Affective Disorder and Post-Holiday Blues. The weeks after Christmas just beat me down mentally and physcially. I see a counselor every month to help me cope and develop action plans on how I can pick myself up when I’m feeling down. Right now, I’m loving cooking new recipes for David and I! It gets me excited about something and also gives me something to do.

Create Your Own Action Plan

The worst thing you can do when you’re experiencing mental health problems is to do nothing. Create an action plan for how you’ll cope and what YOU need to do to keep going. I’ll be sharing more on this in the coming weeks, but for now here are some things to get you thinking:

•  What are my needs right now?
•  How am I feeling?
•  Can I identify my emotions and their causes?
•  Do I know what is causing my mental health problem?
•  How do I want to feel?

 

Cozy Sweater Under $30

 

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve written anything! Life gets really busy and frankly its easier to update my Instagram than sit down and write a blog. Lately, I’ve been trying to focus more on filling my closet with winter staple items I’ll wear again and again. I found this sweater for $26 at Nordstrom Rack and had to share it with you! Normally, I wait until something goes on 70% off clearance before I’ll buy it (I’m a very serious bargain hunter) but in this case, I figured this red sweater would be something I’d wear a lot this year. And now I wear it once a week!

Its super chunky and perfect to wear on days where your jeans aren’t fitting quite right! It comes in 3 other colors I believe and goes well with just about anything. Nordstrom Rack always seems to have loads of closet staples like tee shirts and sweaters for very reasonable prices. I check their clearance section often and am always amazed at what I find! There ya go, your shopping tip of the day!

 

Target Dollar Spot: Valentine’s Day Finds

Hey everyone! Am I the only one that hopes January will go really fast? The winter months just kill me. I like sunshine, patios, and warm temps! One of the first things I do when seasons change is check out the Target Dollar Spot. I’m such a big fan of this little section. I find so many delightful things for décor around our house. Right now, Valentine’s Day and winter items are hot in the Dollar Spot! I’ll share some of my favorites below!

Galentine’s Day Dollar Spot Items

HOW CUTE ARE THESE GALENTINE’S DAY ITEMS?! I’m proud that I didn’t buy all of them but I’m still tempted. And I live across the street from a Super Target. It’s like a dream and a nightmare all at the same time. These are just such cute little things for a girl’s night get together. I really need that glitter sign!

Winter Dollar Spot Items

THE HOT COCOA STUFF! Oh my goodness. Once again, I was tempted but only bought the cute mugs. I might go back for more though. Some of these items make really good stocking stuffers for next Christmas too!

Ok I also bought the lavender eye pillow and I really like it! It smells amazing and doesn’t fall of my head. So winning there. They have a ton of stuff for new year organization and resolutions. I definitely need to get a pair of those workout gloves! Just sayin.

Anyway, I’ll share more on my Instagram stories as they roll out other items. Happy winter everyone!

 

My 2018 Recap and Wishes for 2019!

Happy New Year’s Eve everyone! 2018 flew by and I can’t believe its over. I’m blown away by everything that happened. Life takes you by surprise and often times, it’s completely wonderful. And then there are other times that bring you back down to Earth and remind you that you’re human.

I won’t spend too long going over my year but the year started with me in a terrible job and then finding a different, better one in March. Literally a day after I started my job, David and I got our first niece and she’s darling! In May, David asked me to marry him (BIGGEST MOMENT EVER!) and the day after, my mom was diagnosed with leukemia. Like I said, life is filled with ups and downs. The rest of the year has been spent wedding planning, dreaming for the future, and more wedding planning. So for 2019….

Big Changes Coming

Last New Year’s I tried to change me. But I wasn’t ready. So this New Year’s I really hope I am. I want to change how I think, how I eat, how I think about eating, and how I think about myself. This is the year I get married and there are so many changes coming my way! I couldn’t be more excited and nervous! So what am I doing to get ready? Creating NEW habits. And I’m praying with every fiber of my being that my habits stick!

The first thing I knew I needed to change in 2019 was my gratitude. I spend so much of my time wondering why I don’t have this or that and virtually none of my time being thankful for the things I dreamed I would have when I was 20. I’m so lucky in life and I don’t even know it! So I bought a gratitude journal! Here’s the exact one I got. Everyday you write down things and people you’re grateful for and why. Its a nice 5-minute exercise to start your day!

I also started a free trial of the Noom app. I had seen commercials and what not for this weight loss program and had always been curious. I started a free trial of it and am excited to see how it can help. It doesn’t just tell you how to lose weight, it address the harder part of weight loss- understanding your relationship with food.

I put food on a pedestal. If I’m not eating it, I’m thinking about it. It’s a reward for me. I need to change that! Noom gives you a counselor that helps you change how you view food and yourself. I will definitely be updating you guys in a few weeks to share my thoughts on the app!

Please share your goals with me! I love to hear what other people are striving for!