I quit drinking almost a year ago. I have been looking for ways throughout my day to reduce my stress and anxiety. In the past, I would work hard all day, just pushing and pushing, knowing that I could have a drink at the end of the day. The glass of wine or hard kombucha would help calm me down. It worked for years until it didn’t. The drink at the end of the day was actually creating more anxiety for me. I still have busy productive days, which I love, but I look for other ways to slow down.

I love putting on my overalls and heading outside to garden. The outfit feels important. I like to limit my work in the yard to an hour, so it doesn’t start to feel like too much. My gardens have been beautiful this year. It makes me happy to weed, edge and mulch. It brings order and beauty to them. It gives me happiness and makes me feel grounded.

There is research that says pulling weeds is good for your brain. Weeding can ease anxiety and depression. Repetitive action like weeding can help reduce cortisol levels. It calms the mind to focus on one task at a time. There is a sense of accomplishment from creating order out of chaos. There is immediate gratification when you pull out a clump of crabgrass!

I love the time outside where no one bothers me.

What are you doing to lower your stress and anxiety? Please share. We need to support each other.

Love, Mary