Ways to Cope

 

With last year being so crazy I've been focusing a lot more on mental health. It's always been important to me but now with the whole country taking a hit. It's even more important now more than ever. I wanted to put an emphasis on coping skills. How we handle stress and the day to day is so important.  These are some ways to cope with all that in a healthy way.

 

Coping Skills

 

Distraction: Conversation, listen to talk radio/podcasts, read, do puzzles, TV, computer games, solve a problem, make a list, learn something new, cleaning & tidying, gardening, arts and crafts. 

 

Grounding: Use body & senses: smell fragrances, slowly taste food, notice the colors around you. Walk on the grass barefoot, squeeze clay or mud, do yoga, meditate, exercise. 

Emotional Release: Yell, scream, run! Try a cold shower. Let yourself cry..and sob. Put on a funny movie and let yourself laugh. Try boxing, popping balloons, or crank up music and dance. 

Self Love: Massage hands with lotion, manicure your nails, cook a special meal, clean your house (or just make your bed),  take a bubble bath or long shower, brush hair, buy a small treat.

Thought Challenge: Write down negative thoughts then list all the reasons they may not be true. Imagine someone you loved had those thoughts. What advice would you give them?

Access your higher self: Help someone else, smile at strangers, pray, volunteer, do randomly kind things for others, join a cause. 

http://www.unstressyourself.com/best-coping-skills-worksheets/

 

 

 

 

Birthday Wishes

Since my birthday is in a couple of days. I thought we could start celebrating now.

I've compiled a list of places that give away a free item on your birthday. Imagine this you could be driving around town and businesses just give you birthday presents. That sounds like an awesome birthday to me! Also on a side note we are also celebrating the 2 year anniversary of "Lioness" Ep's release. Make sure you take a little listen! Here

#1 DENNY’S

Birthday Freebie: Grand Slam Breakfast

Requirements: Sign Up

#2 EINSTEIN BAGELS

Birthday Freebie: Egg Sandwich

Requirements: Sign Up

#3 IHOP

Birthday Freebie: Meal

Requirements: Sign Up

#4 KRISPY KREME

Birthday Freebie: Donut

Requirements: Sign Up

#5 PANERA BREAD

Birthday Freebie: Pastry

Requirements: Sign Up

#6 WAFFLE HOUSE

Birthday Freebie: Waffle

Requirements: Sign Up

Lunch & Dinner Freebies

#7 BUFFALO WILD WINGS

Birthday Freebie: Snack-Size Traditional or Boneless Wings

Requirements: Sign Up

#8 CARRABBA’S ITALIAN GRILL

Birthday Freebie: Appetizer

Requirements: Sign Up

#9 HARD ROCK CAFÉ

Birthday Freebie: Entrée with a Purchase of One Entrée

Requirements: Sign Up

#10 HOOTERS

Birthday Freebie: 10 Wings

Requirements: Sign U

#11 JOHNNY ROCKETS

Birthday Freebie: Burger

Requirements: Sign Up

#12 MARCO’S PIZZA

Birthday Freebie: Pizza

Requirements: Sign Up

#13 NOODLES & COMPANY

Birthday Freebie: Bowl of Noodles

Requirements: Sign Up

#14 OLD CHICAGO

Birthday Freebie: Pizza

Requirements: Sign Up

#15  P.F CHANG’S

Birthday Freebie: Appetizer or Dim Sum

Requirements: Sign Up

#16 RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS

Birthday Freebie: Burger

Requirements: Sign up

#17 RUBY TUESDAY

Birthday Freebie: Burger or Garden Bar Entrée

Requirements: Sign Up

#18 TEXAS ROADHOUSE

Birthday Freebie: Appetizer or Sidekick Ribs

Requirements: Sign Up

#19 UNO PIZZERIA & GRILL

Birthday Freebie: Appetizer with Purchase of One Entrée

Requirements: Sign Up

#20 WINGSTOP

Birthday Freebie: Large Fries

Requirements: Sign Up

Snacks & Dessert Freebies

#30 APPLEBEE’S

Birthday Freebie: Dessert

Requirements: Sign Up

#31 AUNTIE ANNE’S

Birthday Freebie: Pretzel

Requirements: Sign Up

#32 BASKIN-ROBBINS

Birthday Freebie: Ice Cream Scoop

Requirements: Sign Up

#33 BLACK-EYED PEA

Birthday Freebie: Dessert

Requirements: Sign Up

#34 BOSTON MARKET

Birthday Freebie: Dessert

Requirements: Sign Up

#34 THE CAPITAL GRILLE

Birthday Freebie: Dessert

Requirements: Sign Up

#35 CHILI’S

Birthday Freebie: Dessert

Requirements: Sign Up

#36 COLD STONE CREAMERY

Birthday Freebie: Creation Ice Cream with Purchase of One Creation Ice Cream

Requirements: Sign Up

#37 DAIRY QUEEN

Birthday Freebie: Blizzard Ice Cream

Requirements: Sign Up

#38 GOOD TIMES

Birthday Freebie: Frozen Custard Spoonbender

Requirements: Sign Up

#39 THE MELTING POT

Birthday Freebie: Chocolate Fondue for Two

Requirements: Sign Up

#40 MIMI’S CAFE

Birthday Freebie: Slice of Crêpe Cake or Two Packs of Muffins or Croissants

Requirements: Sign Up

#41 NOTHING BUNDT CAKES

Birthday Freebie: Bundt Cake

Requirements: Sign Up

#42 OLIVE GARDEN

Birthday Freebie: Dessert

Requirements: Sign Up

#43 TGI FRIDAY’S

Birthday Freebie: Dessert

Requirements: Sign Up

#44 WENDY’S

Birthday Freebie: Frosty

Requirements: Sign Up

#45 ARBY’S

Birthday Freebie: Small Shake

Requirements: Sign Up

#46 CARIBOU COFFEE

Birthday Freebie: Medium Beverage

Requirements: Sign Up

#47 DUNKIN DONUTS

Birthday Freebie: Beverage

Requirements: Sign Up

#48 JAMBA JUICE

Birthday Freebie: Small Smoothie

Requirements: Sign Up

#49 SMASHBURGER

Birthday Freebie: Shake

Requirements: Sign Up

#50 SONIC DRIVE-IN

Birthday Freebie: Shake

Requirements: Sign Up

#51 STARBUCKS

Birthday Freebie: Beverage

Requirements: Sign Up

Entertainment & Retail Freebies

#52 AMC THEATRES

Birthday Freebie: Coupon

Requirements: Sign Up

#53 AMF BOWLING

Birthday Freebie: Bowling

Requirements: Sign Up

#54 AVEDA

Birthday Freebie: $23 Gift *Psst… $10 to Enroll

Requirements: Sign Up

#55 BAREMINERALS

Birthday Freebie: Gift

Requirements: Sign Up

#56 EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS

Birthday Freebie: Gift

Requirements: Sign Up

#57 GODIVA

Birthday Freebie: Gift

Requirements: Sign Up

#58 HALLMARK

Birthday Freebie: Card

Requirements: Sign Up

#59 SEPHORA

Birthday Freebie: Gift

Requirements: Sign Up

#60 ULTA BEAUTY

Birthday Freebie: Gift

Requirements: Sign Up

#61 VICTORIA’S SECRET

Birthday Freebie: Gift

Requirements: Sign Up

 

Wear Red day

 It's been a few years since I did a feature like this. I wanted to shine some light on this cause. Now more than ever this cause means a lot to me. 

The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement encourages people to take action through the month of February by: Wearing red today on National wear red day to raise awareness about heart disease. If you want to donate click here Go red for women