Co Founder Angie Lee’s Top 4 Anxiety Hacks

As an entrepreneur and certified nutritionist, I know the toll anxiety can take on your business and body. I’ve learned to expect the unexpected, which I realize is much easier said than done. So, as we enter the New Year with 365 brand spanking new days just begging to be seized, I thought I’d share my top four anxiety-zapping hacks.

Box breathing

Say what, now? Yep, you read that right. Box breathing, aka “square” or “four-square” breathing, is a relaxation technique. It involves taking long (I mean, LONG) and deep breaths, holding each one in for a four-count, before exhaling all the oxygen out of your lungs. Not sure you’re breathing as deep as you could be? PRO TIP: Check your abdomen. Your diaphram should swell every time you take a breath. 

Box breathing works by allowing CO2 to build up in the bloodstream, stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system and activating the cardio-inhibitory response of the vagus nerve. In plain ol’ English, it calms you down by regulating your autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for things like breathing and blood pressure.

Seek out some sunshine

The first rule of real estate also applies to anxiety-relief : Success is all about location, location, location. It’s all too easy to get trapped in our own heads, and staying inside won’t do you any favors. Simply getting some fresh air and exposing yourself to sunlight first thing in the morning (weather permitting, of course) can do a world of good for your state of mind.

According to the EPA, Americans spend some 90% of their lives indoors. Add an overdose of screen time with a non-stop flood of incoming emails… It's a recipe for a panic attack. Going outside, even just for a few minutes, helps take your mind off whatever is causing it to go into overdrive. You don’t need to go as far as the beach or the nearest forest to reap the benefits of getting out and about. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded that the world is bigger than the confines of your laptops or cubicles.

My morning CBD-coffee mix

I like to squeeze a little CBD into my morning routine by adding it straight to my coffee. That way, I can be sure that my central nervous system and adrenals are supported no matter what the day throws at me. Just a few drops of our Peppermint CBD Oil Drops in my cup of Joe, and I’m good to go.

If coffee isn’t your thing or you know that caffeine triggers your anxiety, you can just as easily pop one of our CBD Gummies. You could also add your favorite CBD Oil Drops to practically any smoothie recipe or just take them straight up. 

Get moving

When our minds are running on overdrive, our bodies often enter a panicked and frozen state. If you ever feel a wave of anxiety getting ready to sweep you off to panic attack-sea, get up and move around. Personally, I prefer going for a walk or squeezing in a few minutes on my trampoline. However, you can also try doing jumping jacks or skipping around the block. Simply moving your body is a great way to activate and decongest your lymphatic system, which is particularly susceptible to the stress-hormone cortisol.

Press play

Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said that “without music, life would be a mistake.” Ain’t that the truth. Music is an incredible wellness tool when it comes to psychological well being. In fact, one study found that 30 minutes of music therapy was more effective than prescription medication at reducing anxiety-levels in patients pre-surgery. 

So there you have it, folks. You don’t need a lot of money or even a lot of time to manage your anxiety. All it takes is practice and commitment. If at any point you feel that your anxiety is getting out of hand, know that there is absolutely no shame in reaching out to a compassionate loved one or mental health professional for help. You’ve got this now let’s take on the New Year.