Anxious and Overwhelmed?
​How to get your HAPPY back!

---

October 7, 2020 - Episode #30 - Anxious and Overwhelmed? How to get your HAPPY back!
Anxiety abounds. The feeling of overwhelm is suffocating. Do you feel like you’ve lost your happy? Lost yourself in the chaos? Are you Ready to get your happy back?

I know times are crazy and you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed in your every day between work, the kids, social stuff and the quarantine pounds you have been dealing with. I'm hearing this daily from my clients and I know I'm struggling with it as well! The year 2020 is the year that all HELL broke loose! We know WHY we feel anxious and overwhelmed but let's do something about it!

This short episode outlines 6 tips to get your HAPPY back!

Remember, if you are feeling like you can't shift out of anxious/overwhelm mode and are looking for a Health Coach that is more like an encouraging best friend, someone who has got your back; I would be honored to support you! I have some coaching spots open in October. Check out the Wellness Warrior Power Hour and see if it is a good fit for you.   
​
Finally, don't forget your FREE gift my friend...5 Secrets to Anti-Diet Weight Loss. This Guided Workbook are those key things you need to break free from the diet rat race. And pppsssstttt...I'll let you in on a little secret, it is some of the same strategies that are going to help you get your happy back! You will find this free tool so helpful! Click here and I'll send it right away.  http://bit.ly/Fivesecretstoweightloss

Read Full Transcript below​
​

​Where else to listen:  (note: Google is only available on android devices)

​FULL TRANSCRIPT  -  October 7, 2020 - Episode #30 - Anxious and Overwhelmed? How to get your HAPPY back!

Anxiety abounds. The feeling of overwhelm is suffocating. Do you feel like you’ve lost your happy! Lost yourself in the chaos? If you are Ready to get your happy back keep listening to today’s episode on the Healthy Harmony show.
 
Welcome to the Healthy Harmony podcast. If you are ready to be empowered, to tap into the healthiest version of you so you can live with confidence and intentional harmony; then my friend…you are in the RIGHT place!
 
As a Dietitian turned Functional Medicine Health Coach, I am here to walk beside you and show you how to take control of your complete health so you can live a life you not only LOVE but a life where you are truly THRIVING!
 
Empowerment is right around the corner as we dive into physical health, mental/emotional health and spiritual health. Addressing these areas equals intentional harmony, aka happiness, fulfillment, and confidence! Let's do this!
 
Hey ladies, listen…I know times are crazy and you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed in your everyday between work, the kids, and social stuff going on and the quarantine pounds you have been dealing with. It’s a lot so this episode is all about how to get your HAPPY back!
 
Before we dig into today’s episode, I want to read you this incredible testimony I received from one of my clients, Hillary. Anxiety has always been one of her major struggles and she has had a big transformation. When you are doing health coaching with someone, it doesn’t have to be hard and it should not add extra stress. Listen to what Hillary writes
 
“One size certainly does not fit all when it comes to Jennifer and the work she does with and for her clients. Jennifer curated a plan that was perfectly fit for me by asking the tough questions but doing so in the most gentle and encouraging way! She is a master of her craft - The kindest soul with the knowledge and expertise to guide you through any challenge you are facing whether it be mind, body or soul!”
 
I have a huge smile on my face as I’m reading that. If that resonates with you and you have been looking for a health coach that’s more like a best friend, who’s got your back and is going to give you simple and easy strategies and hold you accountable, I would love to be your mentor. I would love it! I do have some Wellness Warrior sessions available in October and I think one of them might have your name on it.
 
Go check it out and see if it’s a good fit for you https://www.inspirehealthyharmony.com/coaching.html
 
As a Health Coach, I spend my days listening, encouraging and empowering others. I’ve got the education and the experience, yada, yada, honestly so what. What makes me passionate is knowing what I’ve been through with my own personal health and starting to really fully grasp this mind/body connection. So, as we talk through today’s topic of anxiety and overwhelm and just feeling like you have lost your happy - I’ve been there. And I just struggle some days! But I have some strategies that have helped me and helped my clients and I’m excited to share some of those with you!
 
Anxiety and Depression. These two terms are widespread. Can I be honest? Just hearing those terms make me feel a little anxious and depressed. I will tell you that 99% of my clients have suffered with anxiety and depression. I just shared with you, I’ve struggled. By the way, that was BEFORE all hell broke loose in 2020! By the way, that term, all HELL breaking loose is the BEST way to describe this year. So many were struggling before and now it’s worse! I’ve heard clients say, “I just feel like I’ve lost myself.” And “I’ve lost my happy!” We can talk about why, but dang, we know why! Let’s talk about getting our happy back!
 
Today, I’m outlining 6 tips to get your Happy Back! Let’s get to it!
 

1. 1. Perspective - We have a tendency to really beat ourselves up. There is this comparison trap that lies to us and tells us that everyone else is handling this okay and we are the only one struggling. So many of my clients feel like they are alone in their struggles. So please let me remind you here…so many are struggling. We find it hard to focus on the positive when we are bombarded with the negative. So, can I please encourage you? Show yourself some grace. You can’t hit the rewind button. Let go of the guilt and the shame. It’s only holding you back. Is it possible to shift your perspective? It’s pretty impossible to do an about face and change everything at once. So, I’ll share with you a secret that I teach my clients.  It’s about one step at a time. One day at a time. So, we implement these small manageable changes. These small steps lead to bigger results. It’s not about next week, next month, next year. Can we shift our perspective and focus on right now?...can’t rewind to yesterday. And we will literally drive ourselves crazy worrying about the future. What we can do today is to take a breath and take it one small step at a time. One day at a time.

 

1. 2. Shift gears. We find ourselves just stressed and overwhelmed! So, in those moments how do you respond? Is it possible to shift gears? In a brainstorming session with a client this week, she revealed how very paralyzing the fear and anxiety was. But she stated as she found herself in the car and her thoughts were beginning to spiral, she did two things. She started talking to herself, saying things like “It’s going to be okay. You are going to be okay.” And she turned on some music. Some 70’s music in fact. She realized as she and I were talking through this that she hadn’t been listening to any music. AND she loves music! So, part of her action plan to shift gears when she is feeling anxious and overwhelmed is to put on some tunes! Don’t you love that? Is that something simple that you can implement too? Another client, Lynn has a lot of work stress and what she will do when she is feeling stressed or overwhelmed is to walk to the windows and look down below to the ducks swimming in the pond. This helps her to shift gears and gives her a mental break. So, this week, look at what will help you shift gears a bit…walking outside for a moment, petting your dog, turning on some music.

 

1. 3. Look at your Input! What are you putting in? You know my phone will give me a weekly summary of how much time I’ve spent on my phone, my daily average. And it’s awful! It’s shocking! So, if we look at how much we are taking in, is it positive or negative? Right now, we are bombarded with negative! And I mean bombarded! Social media, news, the arguing and fighting back and forth. It’s not serving any of us! It is contributing to literal toxicity in your mind and your body! Cause those are connected! Do you need to take a break from the news? Excuse yourself from social media for a bit? What kind of conversations are you having with others? Are there some folks either online or in person that you may need to step away from for a bit? Unfollow? I know it sounds harsh. But it is worth it! Your mental and emotional health are worth it!

 

1. 4. Get some sleep! Let me just tell you, if you do this one thing alone will help you turn your health around. If you are struggling with anxiety and depression AND not sleeping, it just makes it worse. Sleep is the body’s only time to reset and restore. You gotta have it! Make sleep a top priority by avoiding alcohol to unwind (the bad news is that it may help you fall asleep but it really messes with deep sleep), staying off your phone at night and implementing a good bedtime routine. A good bedtime routine is simply meant to send signals to the body that it is time to relax and unwind and get ready. This is a big topic and if lack of sleep is making you crazy. Go check out my sleep podcast that I did earlier this year. I think you will find it helpful. In the meantime, catch some zzzzzz’s ya’ll, it will help!

 

1. 5. Breathe. Yeah, I know I know. Common sense stuff. This is the point where you are like come on Jennifer! But here’s the deal…when you are stressed and anxious and overwhelmed, you don’t even realize it, but you are taking these short shallow breaths. And your body is not getting enough oxygen! There’s not enough oxygen getting to that prefrontal cortex in the brain. By the way, that’s the decision-making center! You need to help your body dial back that stress response. One of the best ways to do this is with intentional breathing.  And let me tell you I don’t do complicated. So, I’m not all about stand on your head and doing some kind of funky complicated breathing crap. I’m just talking about taking a moment. A purposeful pause and focusing on your breathing. Taking a deep breath in and then doing a longer exhale. Another one of my favorites is called 4 square breathing. Again, I like it because it is super simple. Picture a square. At the top of that square, breathe in and count to 4. On one side of the square, hold it and count to four, bottom of the square breath out and count to four and the final side, hold it and count to four. This is sooooo helpful. Recently one of my new clients, Jennifer, implemented this breathing technique and just noticed a HUGE difference in how she responded to the stress because she dialed back the stress response and felt better equipped to hand what was coming her way! So, try being intentional with your breathing and notice the difference that it makes.

 

1. 6. Do something for others! I know one thing, when I’m struggling with anxiety and overwhelm...I get real ME focused. It’s all about me, woe is me, I can’t believe I’m struggling with this, etc! Can you relate? And you know what? Not only does it not help, it makes it worse! When we shift our focus to helping others, it creates an environment of joy. It helps you and it helps them! Double benefit! And this doesn’t have to be BIG, huge earth-shattering things. It could be a text to a friend with an encouraging word, it could be kind words to someone in the grocery store. Or simple acts of kindness. My neighbor, Amber, did this for me this week and it just made my day! She knows I love FALL decorations. I confess I possibly go a little overboard. And she picked me up the cutest hand towels from Target. They are black and white stripped and have a pumpkin that says Hello Pumpkin! SOOOO CUTE! But It’s the thoughtfulness! Every time I look at that towel I smile! So, what’s something that you could do this week for someone else? You will be amazed at how it makes you feel! This is one of the best ways to get your Happy back my friends!!

 
I hope you have loved this episode on how to get your happy back and beat anxiety and overwhelm and kick it to the curb so you can be free from and live a life with more peace and joy. If you are ready for some additional support, as your friend, I have a free tutorial you can follow along. It’s simple, it’s easy and as a Functional Medicine Health Coach, I’ve plugged in the things that will make the most impact for you! It’s the 5 Secrets to Anti-Diet Weight Loss along with a Guided Workbook. It’s those key things that you need to break free from the diet rat race. And pssssttttt, these are some of the same simple strategies that are going to help you get your happy back! It’s not rocket science. But I think you will definitely find that it works. It’s totally free and you can grab that at http://bit.ly/Fivesecretstoweightloss or click on the link in the description of this podcast.
 
I’m Jennifer, your friend and your Health Coach wishing you less overwhelm and more joy. I’ll meet you back here next week. Bye ya’ll!

Finally, don't forget your FREE gift my friend...5 Secrets to Anti-Diet Weight Loss. This Guided Workbook are those key things you need to break free from the diet rat race. And pppsssstttt...I'll let you in on a little secret, it is some of the same strategies that are going to help you get your happy back! You will find this free tool so helpful! Click here and I'll send it right away.  http://bit.ly/Fivesecretstoweightloss