4 Simple Steps to Ease Anxiety

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. As always, I’d never write about something I don’t love! All opinions are mine alone. #BioreCharcoal #CollectiveBias

If there’s one thing I’m not known for, it’s being calm. I feel like I’m always going a mile a minute, my wheels are always spinning, and I’ve always got a huge checklist of things I need to get done. The benefit of this is being a lean, mean, working machine! But the downside is huge – I’m no stranger to anxiety.

I can’t claim to be an expert, but as I’ve developed this on again off again relationship with anxiety I’ve also learned ways to kick it to the curb! So say sayonara to tight chested, stifled breathing, shaky handed anxiety attacks and hello to pure relaxation.

Unplug.

One of the first things I do when I start to feel anxious is to “unplug” – meaning I put my phone down, shut my computer, and take a technological break. My phone is seriously glued to my hand all day long and sometimes it’s really helpful to have a break! “Sorry Siri, it’s not me it’s you and I just need a little space right now.” I no longer feel required to answer emails, I can take a moment alone where I don’t have a thousand texts to respond to, and instead I can pick up a book, take a walk, or simply do nothing.

Restorative yoga or stretching.

I’m definitely not a yogi (in fact I get raging vertigo every time I attempt a Downward Dog), but I’ve actually love restorative yoga! “Restorative” yoga is essentially fancy terminology for gentle stretching and laying around in positions that you could borderline take a nap in. Time for Savasana (AKA lie on your back and stare at the ceiling)? I’m in. No joke, I actually fell asleep in a restorative yoga class once because it was that relaxing. If you feel the anxiety creeping in just take a moment for a little stretching and let the moment pass!

Pamper yourself – have an at home spa day.

My favorite way to beat an anxiety attack is to pamper myself. I’ll break out the nail polish, take a nice shower – and wash my face. I know, sounds weird right? But I swear nothing beats cleaning my skin when I’m trying to rid myself of anxiety and bad vibes. It’s like washing the bad day away!

My favorite face wash I reach for when kicking anxiety to the curb is the Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser. This stuff pulls all the dirt and grime out of my skin (and subsequently all the bad juju from my day). Seriously it only takes one minute of washing and my skin looks squeaky clean – and I feel a million times better. It’s also oil free which is a huge plus for me because I’m really acne prone (yes, even at age 24 I break out like a 14 year old) and the last thing I need on a stressful day is another zit. Ya feel me?

I like to get my Bioré fix at Walmart. It’s super easy to find (you can’t miss that bright green against the deep charcoal!) and also crazy affordable. I kind of can’t pass up a skincare deal.

biore walmart

To start my road to relaxation I splash my face with warm water. Mmm it’s like a bath for my face! I then work the Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser into a foam in my hands and gently massage it onto my skin. I like to take my time during this part (even though it can totally give you a cleanse in one minute!) because I find it really relaxing. I’ll then rinse my face off with warm water, again massaging as I go to ease any tension.

biore charcoal

biore charcoal

biore charcoal

biore charcoal

After I’ve washed my bad day away I like to finish off my at home pampering with a face mask! I seriously have no idea why it took me so long to jump on the face mask train – they’re freaking awesome. I reach for the Bioré Self Heating One Minute Mask because it’s warm, relaxing – and takes only one minute! There’s seriously no excuse not to pamper yourself to ease an anxiety attack when it only takes a minute out of your day. Quickest. Solution. Ever.

biore charcoal

biore charcoal

biore charcoal

biore charcoal

Without drying my face after cleansing, I reach for the Self Heating One Minute Mask and gently spread it on my skin. I like to keep on massaging because 1) oh em gee super relaxing and 2) I can start to feel the mask heat up! After about a minute I rinse a final time and pat my face dry.

biore charcoal

There’s a reason we Americans have started to look towards the Koreans for skincare wisdom: skincare is a ritual in other parts of the world. The time you spend at the end of the day cleansing your face is like cleansing yourself of your day – it’s time for you to unplug, unwind, and relax. Giving your face a good scrub is a total anxiety banisher! At the end of a rough day all I need is me, a cup of tea, and my Bioré.

Add some color!

If all of that didn’t get you nice and calm – pop on a bright lip color. Think I’m crazy again? Give it a try and you’ll see. Color elicits emotional responses (which is why we associate red with anger or blue with sadness). So when I need a pick me up, I pop on a pink lip! There’s something really calming, satisfying, and happy about a fun lip color.

biore charcoal

Anxiety is really common and if you’re ever feeling anxious – know that you seriously aren’t alone. I struggle with it on the regular! Take a deep breath, give yourself some alone time by unplugging, do some relaxing stretching, and pamper yourself like the queen you totally are – you deserve it.

What are your favorite tips and tricks for beating an anxiety attack? Am I the only one that gets a crazy sense of satisfaction watching Bioré products pull the dirt out of my face? Tell me in the comments below!

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