Even when you do the work you can still slip up - I guess I am human!

And I was triggered by fear after a simple trip to the supermarket with my son.

It was not a huge traumatic event, there was no "incident" involving a masked robber or ANYTHING that anyone else would have noticed. 

In fact to be honest the entire ordeal was happening IN MY MIND. 

And that my friends, is how anxiety works. 

My fear was triggered from something I saw in aisle 1 and then how I perceived MYSELF to be unprepared to be at the supermarket with my 7 year old son (who btw cannot keep his hands out of his MOUTH!!!).

The loop of fearful thoughts started spiraling and in a split second I felt like a crazy woman. I reacted in curt words and anxious panic trying to flee.

My anxiety may look different to yours, it comes out in a angry irrational burst, often yelling, or demanding of the people around me. It feels like I can't control anything, so I need to push, manage and control the people around me. It feels like time is on fast forward and can't stop it. ​

Thankfully, I now understand my anxiety and I know when my fear has been triggered. 

I typically can see it on the face of the person I am directing orders at (eeeek!), and I can feel the stress hormones in my body making me want to fight or flight (double eeeek!). My husband is also good and recognizing the patterns and calmly and kindly asking me to "check myself"!

I was then able to move through the fear using 2 simple techniques that you can use too:

1. BREATHING TECHNIQUE TO CALM MY RACING THOUGHTS

2. REPEATING TO MYSELF AFFIRMING WORDS

Watch my video below to hear the full story and learn about the 2 simple tools I used in more detail to apply to your life.

This is exactly how I worked through it - and I offer guidance to you so that if you find yourself in a similar situation at any point during COVID-19. - you'll have the tools too!

I share this story with you to let you know that if you've been gripped by fear during this crisis, you are absolutely not alone. It happens to the best of us. And if you watch the Mel Robbins video below, you'll see that it even happens to the most famous of us too!

Some sleepless mornings have been more productive than others. I've actually come up with some good content and blog ideas! (lol) 

I can almost handle a 5am wake up if it's an idea that's worth it! But, I am no good with multiple nights of broken sleep. I know some people (like my husband) can thrive on little sleep, what about you?

I am NOT one of those people. I need 8 hours to function. The baby years were the HARDEST for me. My lack of sleep typically means get ready... a cold or something else is coming!

WHY IS SLEEP SO IMPORTANT ANYWAY?

1. Mindset and clarity - sleep allows your brain to clear waste from the brain and supports learning and memory (fun fact!)
2. Rejuvenating your body - sleep gives your body and organs time to repair cells and recharge your energy
3. Immune health - sleep helps your immune system to regroup and fight off any bugs

BUT, WHY CANT I SLEEP WHEN I'M SO EXHAUSTED?

• You can feel extremely fatigued but, in fact, not be ready for sleep
• An active mind that is super charged won't shut off - the more your thoughts race actually the more alert you become
• Your body could also be feeling tense from stress and still switched to "go mode" and hasn't yet got the "time for sleep" memo

What I've had to learn to do over the years is pretty simple - there are a few key things you can do during the day to help you get better, deeper, more nourishing sleep at night. 

Now, I actually set up my DAY for a GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP.

What I realised recently was that none of the SELF-ISO environment we are living in right now is helping our sleep patterns because most of us are...

• Staying up later than usual - lets face who has anywhere to be in the morning?! 
• Tripling our amount of screen time - binging Netflix is LIFE!
• Doubling our coffee intake - probably because having a coffee feels like you're taking a "break"
• Drinking more wine - well... it's not like you have to drive or be somewhere!
• Eating more chocolate - need I say more?

So, if your sleep has been “off” lately then check out my latest video.
I share some simple tips to help you find better sleep! Little things that I do during the day and in the evening to help me find sleep easier and get a better quality of sleep.

I've spoken to a lot of women who are absolutely exhausted. And actually, I am too... 

From navigating our way through the uncertainty of information, from sleepless nights of worry, from having to adapt to new work / child care / home school arrangements. It is no wonder we feel exhausted with so much change!

We are still juggling LIFE, but our life has been compacted down to four walls and a daily walk! To stay healthy and remain safe we are being forced to find a "new normal".

Those lucky enough to still have work are extremely grateful, but are telling me they feel more drained from this new "work from home" environment than ever before!

Why is that?  Isn't home where we love to be? 

Well, not everyone.

• Some people feed off the energy of having other people around them. Working in a busy environment with people coming and going is how they thrive
• Some people now have more time alone with their thoughts than ever before, without the usual external distractions... and that can be daunting
• Some people find it difficult to be stationery, when we've been living at warp speed for so long putting the brakes on and coming to a halt is a major shock to our system!

My clients are telling me they are actually missing getting up and getting dressed for work. Missing having somewhere to rush to, driving to work and stopping at their favourite coffee shop. Morning chats with people in the office.

Are you too?

I went for a drive the other day to the post office. I was so excited to get out of the house going for a drive it reminded me of how excited my dog gets when she gets to hang her head out the window on car rides! (LOL!).

I guess the biggest take away from this whole experience is that the little things matter. Those simple daily activities we take for granted.

The truth is humans thrive on routine.

When we wake up and it's ground-hog day and our only plan for the day is to move from our bed, to the kitchen, then to the couch... this actually drains our energy. We aren't using our brain, we aren't motivated or setting ourselves up for productivity. 

1) Right now the best thing you can do for your mental health and your energy is to get into some sort of routine.

For me, my morning routine is my saving grace (10mins each = meditation, journalling, yoga). Up before anyone else in the house is awake. 30 minutes of me time.

You have to find what works best for you.

A pocket of time to set yourself up for a good day. A morning walk, reading a chapter of an inspiring book or maybe you drink some warm water with lemon? (I would not recommend as part of your routine you watch the news or pick up your phone to scroll social media! lol)   

THEN, you begin your day :) 

2) Book in a couple things (activities, chats with friends, online fitness classes) EACH WEEK s o that you have SOMETHING to look forward to! Something for yourself, an activity that is JUST FOR YOU.

I recently booked in a weekly morning meditation class, and a yoga class. Both are online and with teachers that I love. Both fill my cup with joy at the prospect of seeing this people each week. The cost was minimal, they are also so happy to have work. I've committed to 4 weeks at a time. The benefit of knowing I have "somewhere to be" for me has been is HUGE! 

3) If you are still blessed to be working, but are struggling with the new "work from home" scenario then today I am going to share 7 tips to help you recoup some of your energy.

Watch here (or click below)

A lot of people were  battling in 2019, it felt like... "how could it ever get any worse that this?".  People I spoke with lived in hope that the dawn of a new decade would be a fresh start, and exactly what was needed...

And yet, the first quarter of 2020 totally blind-sided all of us.

First, the bush-fire crisis and now the spread of COVID-19 has left us grasping for answers. What the hell? 

Our will is being tested as we look our deepest fears directly in the eye and are being asked to put on a show of courage and strength like never seen before.

I've seen humanity come together in one breath to help raise funds for our hard hit communities, and then shattered and divided apart over the simple necessity of Toilet Paper, in the next breath.
Sadly, I've seen more relationships falter in the first 3 months of 2020 than in the last 10 years. Stress and anxiety is at an all time high as WE ALL grapple with uncertainty.

Why is this happening?  What does it all mean?  Will we be ok?  How will we get through this?

I don't own a crystal ball, but I can tell you I am almost certain that nothing will ever be the same... and I think you feel it too.

Life will change, because that is how evolution works.

The way we live, and work, and school has already had to shift, adapt, pivot. You will change through this experience. We all will. But, change in my view of the world.... isn't always such a bad thing.

It is 100% how you ride the wave of change that will determine your experience. 

“The only constant in life is change”- Heraclitus

Yes, this moment in time is NOT pleasant. And I repeat NOT.

I am exhausted (like I am sure you are too) juggling the external world changes, finding ways to still work while keeping my son entertained. If you've lost work no doubt the added financial stress and limited opportunities now feel overwhelming too. With that ever constant nagging at the back of my mind - do we have enough toilet paper, and food??

We would all just love to know - how long is this thing going to go on for? Because then, we could make a plan right? We could map out the future.

The lack of control of the outcome, is what gives us that anxious feeling. Nothing is for certain. So, how am I working to calm the waters of my mind?


​I am focusing on the 10 things I've worked out that I can control:

1. Staying home - except for an hour a day when I get fresh air and exercise or pick up food
2. My Morning Routine - meditation, journalling, and yoga to kick off my day with CALMING energy using my Ultimate Morning Routine. If you've got my Learn to Thrive journal you'll know what I'm talking about :)
3. Spreading GOOD energy and gratitude! Showing up every day online - Instagram is where you'll find me. Each Monday I post an IGTV video on ways to help you keep your mindset healthy during this time
4. Reach out to 5 people a day to check in on how they are doing, sometimes your strongest friends are the ones who need a pick me up the most. A little message of "Im thinking of you" goes a long way
5. Coaching and hold space for my clients (thankfully treating business as usual) and creating a new short 7 day program being released next month! You can get on the wait list here
6. Welcoming new clients with open arms of understanding
7. Creating a "new normal" for my son making home schooling fun (which is more like random activities to keep him off you tube!)
8. Building my immune system - cooking and eating nutritious food for me and my family, taking supplements to boost our health
9. Sleeping well - digital detox 9pm-8am! Phone is off, no TV, screen or work emails. Aiming for at least 8 hours sleep, so that I can have fresh energy daily
10. Remembering - THIS TOO SHALL PASS

I hope these ideas help you find some clarity in uncertain times too. 
​
Take care of yourselves and your loved ones!
Janel