Advocating for Wellness Mental Health & Self-care
Below is a list of emotions with a signature Courtney repartee. Have a laugh, try the recipes for yourselves or send them to a friend... Most of all, let’s normalize common human experiences and share ideas that help...Nothing can replace meeting with a trained mental health professional-resource information can be found at the end of this post.
Anxious
Tell someone... There is power in the vulnerability of sharing your truth... leave your pride at the door baby...the freedom in truth is much lighter than the burden of carrying anxiety alone. I promise. Then try an outdoor walk, a cold shower while drinking cold sprite, a good snack and then a good nap.
Burned Out
Try something outside of your routine such as: Pickleball, bake those gluten free pumpkin muffins from Trader Joe’s, ride a bike around the lake, go thrifting, part your hair the opposite way, wander a bookstore or maybe start an eclectic collection (think snow globe chic or maybe revitalize that ceramic Christmas village of your moms). Avoid cutting your own bangs if possible.
Happy
Take a picture *not for the gram, for you. Go get a pumpkin candle. Splurge on the guacamole. Go to Sephora and smell perfumes. Ride the wave.
Hungry
Straight to the steakhouse. If that isn’t an option, a CAVA bowl does the trick too. If anyone suggests slowly eating almonds-straight to jail.
Angry
Run/spin/powerwalk/rage clean... these types of things. The rage clean is the most productive option...partners and pets should take heed and pick up their belongings as no one's shoes are safe. I also suggest blasting Kelsea Ballerini while pulling weeds or organizing your pantry. Finish the evening by watching funny reels on instagram and eating sushi.
Emotional
Write it out. Open a note in your phone, light a candle *because we’re sophisticated* and play “Gorgeous” by Taylor Swift while you type every last one of your feelings. It's best if the sound is turned up on your phone to hear the typing sound effect for added drama *long nails preferred*. Do I recommend you send this note to anyone? Absolutely not. This is an exercise, people. From here, take a break and sleep on it. You’ll have more clarity in the morning.
Overwhelmed
Kristen Bell aka Princess Anna told us as clearly as can be in Disney’s Frozen 2... “Do the next right thing” if that means brushing your kid’s teeth, ordering food for your family or responding to one email. Do the next thing and the next thing...until it's bedtime. Relish in rest - repeat as needed.
Sad
Get in loser, we’re going gifting...Send your friend a kind note via snail mail, pay for the Starbucks customer’s Pumpkin Spice latte behind you in line and watch The Holiday *film with our darling Jack Black, Kate Winslet, Cameran Diaz and Jude Law... again we’re watching “The Holiday”... let us avoid Kate Winslet’s other film “Titanic”...we may be sad, but let’s not go full tragic...in this condition.
Exhausted
Straight to nappy. If that isn’t an option, it's cold water on the back of your neck, a diet coke with lime *for health* and Rihanna music. Buy something quirky on Facebook marketplace. Use a face roller. Get to bed earlier each night, even if it's just 30 minutes earlier-it helps.
Restless
Walk outside or on a treadmill while watching Gilmore Girls, Schitt’s Creek or Seinfeld. Get online and partake in a virtual museum tour-yes this is a thing! Volunteer in your community or church. If it is physical restlessness plaguing you, run warm water over your feet until they’re chill again.
Busy
Get outside girl. I won’t make you paint the fall foliage because you’re swamped, but I will suggest you schedule time for yourself to do nothing or at least eat a good burger in the car.
Stressed
Slow down, you're doing fine. Try a stretch or meditation video from Youtube like this one.
And as our dear Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen tell us “No is a full sentence”... If you make it through all of these emotions within a short time, no problem, you may just want to add tampons and chocolates to your Target list.
PS to connect you or a loved one to mental health support... simply dial 988. 988 is a direct, three-digit lifeline that connects you with trained behavioral health professionals that can get all Oklahomans the help they need. Visit on instagram.