The Importance of Routines

Hello again, friends! I'm back with another post sharing with you ways that I have found help with my anxiety. Today I want to talk about the importance of routines. I am one who definitely NEEDS a routine. When I have too much unstructured time, I think too much and I start to become very anxious. While I do enjoy breaks away from work, they tend to also bring a lot of anxiety and worry into my life. Solution? Routine! 

I'm not saying that you should have every single minute of every day planned, but you should have some regular routines at specific times of day that you can look forward to and rely on. I have three times a day that I try to keep to a regular routine: morning, lunch time, and right before bed. These three routines help ground me throughout the day and give me time to reflect and rest. I try to stick to a pretty regular routine, even on the weekends. 

Daily, my morning routine includes prayer, scripture study, breakfast, taking my medication and other supplements, and then heading to work. When I don't have to work, I try to make sure I have things planned to do during the day so that I can look forward to that instead of worry about what might happen later on. Starting the day the same way helps me to feel more in control of my feelings and life. When I wake up too late to perform part of my routine, I do see a difference in my day.

My lunch time routine (especially at work) includes eating for at least 20 minutes while doing NOTHING. This gives my brain time to rest and focus to prepare for the afternoon at work, and gives me time to reflect on the rest of my day on the weekends. Taking a break in the middle of the day to just sit and be also helps me to remember that my peace of mind is important, because, as a teacher, my mood influences my students and others around me. I want to stay positive for them, which in turn helps me to feel positive about myself!

In the evening, I again read my scriptures, journal about the day and what I am grateful for, pray, and try to wind down with no TV or other device for at least 20 minutes before I go to bed. During the work week, putting away devices earlier helps me to reflect on what will need to happen either that evening or the next morning in order for me to be productive and feel in control.

Now, although I try very hard to stay on this routine, things happen. I get sick, my plans are derailed by other, more important tasks, or I choose to spend more down time than originally planned so that I can feel more calm. Luckily, my medication helps me take this in stride a lot better than I did before being on it.

So, my advice to those who have anxiety that makes them feel out of control? Begin a routine or set of routines. Stick with it! Although it will be difficult at first, the more you work at keeping things consistent, the easier it will be to roll with the punches when they inevitably come your way. 

That's all I have for you today, friends! Sorry for no print this week, but we have been recovering from a stomach bug and other sickness, which helped me reflect on the importance of a routine! ;) Until next time, I wish you all peace and harmony as you work to find balance!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a peaceful Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Anxiety T-Chart

Hello, friends! Welcome back this week for another post. This post is highlighting a tool, suggested to me by my therapist, that has really come in handy for myself as someone with anxiety and as a teacher. It's called an Anxiety T-Chart. 

The Anxiety T-Chart is pretty simple. On the left, you have the question, "How anxious am I?". On the right, you have the question, "How likely is it to happen?". The purpose of the chart is to help the user understand that, while bad things can and do sometimes happen, the likelihood of them occurring on a daily or regular basis is not as common as anxiety likes to make us think it is.

This simple chart can be used a few ways. First, you could print it, laminate it, then actually draw a bar to show the difference between the two columns. You could also use a finger to trace up to the number you feel, then back down to the number of likeliness. I have personally gotten to the point where I can just think about the chart in my head to help me calm down. I have created 2 versions that you can choose from, and these charts are also available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store as a freebie, should you use that site!

Child Version:

This is a FREE printable for you to use FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
Right click and save, then print as a 8" x 10" print.

Teen/Adult Version:

This is a FREE printable for you to use FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
Right click and save, then print as a 8" x 10" print.

I hope that these charts will come in handy for you or someone you love! They have been a game changer with specific students in my classroom, and a great way to foster independence with regards to managing emotions within children, teenagers, and adults! Drop me a comment below to let me know how you will use this tool--I love to hear new ideas! Until next time, sending prayers, love, and peaceful wishes to each of you!

#LightTheWorld 2018

Hello, friends! I know that this year's holiday initiative from the Church started last week, but I needed that week to once again remember my grandfather. Plus, service is always in season and is a focus of this year's #LightTheWorld!

Many of you will remember that last year, there was an act of service each day that was suggested. I LOVE how this year's initiative has been streamlined and can be more personal! Instead of daily service, each week has a focus. This helps me out, because it means I have more time to pray and prepare what I would like to do. If you're stuck and can't think of what to do, you can download a calendar with ideas for each week! Here are the weekly focuses:

Week One: Light the World

Source

Find a way to help someone/somewhere in the world.

Week Two: Light Your Community

Source

Look closer to home for a way to serve in your neighborhood.

Week Three: Light Your Family

Source

Find ways to serve those closest to you.

Week Four: Light Your Faith

Source

Reflect on how the challenge has strengthened your faith

and find other ways to continue to do so as you seek

the Savior now and always.

So, that's it! I just know that following this initiative will help me manage my anxiety, because it begins by helping me look away from myself (and my anxiety) and then allows me to reflect on how I can come closer to my Savior. Which brings me to this week's print, inspired by the words to the hymn "Nearer, Dear Savior, to Thee", written by Joseph L. Townsend. I sang this hymn last week, and it truly made me reflect on what I am doing to come nearer to my Savior and what my eternal goal is. I've made it in a variety of colors so you can choose which one matches your style best. :)

This is a FREE printable for you to use FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
Right click and save, then print as a 8" x 10" print. 

This is a FREE printable for you to use FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
Right click and save, then print as a 8" x 10" print. 

This is a FREE printable for you to use FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
Right click and save, then print as a 8" x 10" print. 

This is a FREE printable for you to use FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
Right click and save, then print as a 8" x 10" print. 

This is a FREE printable for you to use FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
Right click and save, then print as a 8" x 10" print. 

And that's this week's post! I hope you join those of us who are following the #LightTheWorld initiative this year! Each time I participate, it truly bring the spirit of Christmas, which is the spirit of Christ, into my life and home. Until next time, sending love, peace, and healing wishes!

The Importance of Service

If you read along, you will know that last Sunday my grandfather passed away. He was an amazing man, always serving those around him. Although he endured some unthinkable things during his life, he always found joy in helping those around him. His greatest misgiving about aging was that he could no longer perform all the service he had once been able to provide. His greatest desire was that he would be an instrument in the Lord's hands. He succeeded.

As I have thought about what brings joy during my difficult bouts of anxiety, I realize it is focusing on others and providing service. It hasn't always been big. Ok, it's rarely big. But when I serve, my focus changes and anxiety doesn't have as much room to grow because I am, for lack of a better word, distracted by service. Isn't that a wonderful way to be distracted?

I've contemplated a lot on how the Savior could endure everything He had to endure. I realize it was because EVERYTHING He did was an act of service. His focus was never on himself. It was on us, His brothers and sisters. When we focus our lives on helping others, I firmly believe that all the things that are impeding our way become less difficult to endure.

Now, this doesn't mean that focusing on service is going to just magically wave a wand over your anxiety or depression and make it disappear. But it can help you in difficult times. As I have continued to reflect on my journey with anxiety, I realize that it was service that led me to get the help I needed. Others, especially my husband and friend, Kim, served me in ways that I needed so that I could get help AND serve others around me. Their support and service allowed me to serve and then find help that would enable me to return to serving others without as much help needed. Hopefully that makes sense. At this point, I am literally just typing as I am thinking. ;)

If you are struggling to think about a way to serve, here is a list of simple things that I have found help brighten others' days and also bring joy to my own life:

1. Smile.
2. Send a thank you text/card.
3. Call someone to check in.
4. Make your spouse's favorite dinner/dessert.
5. Open the door for someone.
6. Give a hug.
7. Give a genuine compliment.
8. Pray for someone.
9. Take a treat to a friend.
10. Give a child a high-five.

Not all service has to be known to the person receiving it. Sometimes my favorite acts of service have been the ones performed in secrecy. I feel like doing this sometimes allows the recipient to feel the Lord's love more fully because they don't have to focus on thanking me. Just a thought. :)

 Here's this week's printable.

This is a FREE printable for you to use FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
Right click and save, then print as a 8" x 10" print.

So, here is my thought for the day, wrapped up and tied neatly in a box: When you serve, your anxiety and depressions might not disappear, but it will become more bearable. Go about doing good, friends. Until next time, sending love and peace to each of you!