I am someone who craves routine. I live and breathe by my structured days and when I am thrown off my usual routine, I feel very anxious and confused. 

I also am someone who wants to, and likes to, do a lot of things. I want to be the best version of myself and have really healthy habits but because my mind is always a chaotic place, it's hard to stay on track. I will start incorporating products or routines into my daily life but after a while, I get distracted and lose track.

A few months ago, I found that I was really craving more structure when it comes to my wellness routine. I wanted to make sure I was doing things I wanted on a daily/weekly basis. I wanted something to tell me what to do every single day of the week. These habits are meant to enrich my life and not seem too much like a checklist... but how should I stay on top of things without being overwhelmed?

I am not a doctor, let me get that straight. I am not a medical professional of any kind so take my advice with a grain of salt. What I am is a 27-year-old woman who has been dealing with anxiety attacks for almost 10 years so I know a little bit about how to deal with anxiety and/or panic attacks.

The past few weeks have been probably some of the most stressful of 2020... not just for me but for everyone. There was a lot of uncertainty leading up to the election, the spike in Covid cases across the world, and now post-election stress is going to be mixed with the holiday season. It's just not good for anyone's mental health.

I have definitely experienced a spike in anxiety attacks over the course of the past few months and have found a few new ways to deal with them. I figured I would take you through every step of my anxiety attack and how I resolve them.

For reference, I am on anti-anxiety/depression medication that I take daily but that doesn't mean my anxiety is completely gone. It just means I can function on a daily basis. I still have triggers and still need to navigate an attack... this is what works for me.

Credit

At the First Sign of Anxiety

When I first feel the anxiety coming on, I try to take a few deep breaths. No matter what I am doing, I take a moment to close my eyes, put my hand over my heart, and deep breathe. It helps me focus and center myself, without getting distracted. If I'm working, I will briefly shut the computer so no blue light is coming in & turn off any podcasts or music I am listening to so I can sit in silence. The silence really helps ease me because sometimes the anxiety is just brought on by overstimulation. 

After I sit like that for a few minutes, I will chug some water and maybe rub a little lavender oil on my temples, just to set the mood. I'll also try to get up and eat something because even though it sounds silly, sometimes anxiety can be mistaken for hunger (at least in my experience!) 

However, sometimes the pausing and breathing are just not enough...

After the Anxiety Really Sets In

When I'm Having a Full-Blown Anxiety Attack

I hope this helped, even just a little bit! If you have any other mental health questions, feel free to contact me (email or Instagram), and let's chat! 

For the past few years, I've been on a huge wellness kick and I owe that to the wellness surge in society. I want to know everything that is going to make me feel better, look better, and be better. Whether that's helping my anxiety, improving my skin, or just giving me a better overall feeling of health and wellness.

Because of this kick, I've experimented with a few different supplements to try to find the best one(s) that make me feel good. I'm not talking about vitamins, which I need to be better about taking, but pure beauty, wellness, and health supplements.

Now, I'm not a doctor so I'm only going off of what I've tried myself and what has worked for me. I'm also someone who isn't afraid of medicine. I take more Advils that necessary and load up on allergy medicine, anxiety pills, supplements, and ibuprofen when I probably shouldn't. I know that is NOT good and I will probably develop an ulcer but it's just who I have always been, mostly because I cannot handle pain.

That being said, that's why I'm very experimental with what supplements I use. I understand that it is not for everyone but this is just my story.

Ok, now that we have that out of the way, let's get into my favorite supplements.

Juna CBD Oil

Is CBD a supplement? I consider it one because it's helping me combat a wellness issue! I just did a huge post on CBD products and how I use them and I mentioned the Juna World Nude CBD Oil. This was sent to me in PR and I am just obsessed. It has virtually no taste and one drop does the trick. I also love the aesthetic of the bottle... but that's not really important, it's the inside that counts. If you're looking to try a CBD oil, I recommend this one. You can take a drop alone or mix it into tea/coffee. It puts my mind at ease and allows me to relax a little more, giving me more clarity. It also helps to get to sleep much easier.

Hum Nutrition Big Chill Stress Management 

I've talked about HUM Nutrition before and they are really the brand that kicked off my wellness supplement obsession. The Big Chill is my favorite anti-anxiety/stress supplement. I still use Nerve Tonic on the go but Big Chill is what I use when I'm feeling super on edge and Nerve Tonic just won't do the trick. I've used two bottles of this and it was out of stock EVERYWHERE for a while but I'm pretty sure it is back in stock at most retailers. One pill does the trick for me and once I take it, I feel calmer and less stressed. I definitely think this can be used for people who get stressed easily and not just if you are anxiety ridden. If you are having a hard day at work or home and need to just have a clearer mind to be able to think, Big Chill does that.

Hum Nutrition Beauty Zzz

This is the first supplement I ever tried. With my anxiety and before I started medication, I was having trouble sleeping. I didn't want to take melatonin because I was afraid of being groggy the next day... also, I just wanted to try something fancy and not straight up melatonin from the drugstore *I always have to be the slightest bit extra* $10 from Sephora? There's nothing better than this. Beauty Zzz puts me right to sleep in the best way possible; just a little drowsy and then I sink into a beautifully restful sleep and don't feel gross the next day. I hate Nyquil and any medicine that makes me sleepy because I wake up feeling like a truck hit me. When I know I need a good nights sleep or just feel super restless, these babies save the day.

Love Wellness Co Bye Bye Bloat

Love Wellness Co is another supplement brand that has made it big recently. It was started by Lo Bosworth of Laguna Beach & The Hills fame so obviously, I was intrigued (Lo was always my FAV). While I've been aware of the company for a while it wasn't until recently that I found a supplement that I was searching for. The weeks leading up to my period, I get insanely bloated... just like every other woman in the world. However, it was so incredibly uncomfortable, to the point that I felt uncomfortable in LEGGINGS and it nearly drives me to tears. Finally, I was on Revolve and saw the Bye, Bye Bloat pills and didn't even think twice about purchasing it. I've taken the pills a few times now (the first time I got really nauseous but I didn't eat before when it clearly says to have with food on the bottle). The day after taking these pills (I take them at night after a bloated day) I feel instantly better. I feel at least 5 pounds lighter and the gross feeling is completely gone. They have been a lifesaver these past few months.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

If you follow me on Instagram (@bribrilukes) you know that I bought these a few months ago and have not turned back. Vital Proteins Collagen has been something I've been eyeing for close to a year after hearing one of my favorite YouTubers, Allie Sevdalis, talk about them incessantly on her channel. I wasn't really feeling them... I was scared to mix them in with coffee/tea/etc and I didn't think I needed collagen. My hair grows like a weed and my nails are pretty strong but I was still curious. While running errands one day I ran into GNC and saw that they had a sampler pack of the collagen peptides and for $12, I couldn't just leave it in the store. After trying them for a week, I bought a full size on Sephora.com. I was blown away! These are NO TASTE, like not even a hint of a taste which is so important to me. Then, throughout the day, I just felt better. I wasn't as moody and felt a little more clear. I googled to see if collagen had an effect on mood because that was something I really noticed, and in fact, it does! I haven't noticed a huge difference in my hair but my nails have been stronger and don't break as easily, especially my toenails (gross). There is rarely a day I don't mix these into my coffee and I could not recommend enough. *I use the regular old peptides in the blue packaging but the coffee creamer ones are so delicious*.

What are your favorite wellness supplements? Suggestions are always welcome ;) 

What has been your experience with supplements? Are you on board? Let's talk in the comments!
xoxo
B

CBD is everywhere right now, including here on Royally Pink. I blogged about my favorite CBD beauty products a few weeks ago but now I'm ready to discuss how I use it for my mental health.

CBD Oil

CBD Gummies

CBD Pen

Since starting Royally Pink, I have been very open about my mental health. When I realized I had anxiety, I never shied away from sharing my story. I thought it was important to talk about and normalize it because if I normalized it, I no longer felt like I was suffering from some dirty little secret.

I wear my anxiety like a badge of honor, even on the days where it prevents me from getting out of the house. I was never embarrassed by it and really talk about it any chance I get. I'm also pretty positive I talked about it on my first date with my now boyfriend.

As I learn more about myself and my anxiety and mental health, in general, I realize how key it is to just keep talking. The more we discuss mental health the stronger we all become.

When I found out that April was stress awareness month, I thought it was a great time to talk more about mental health... not just anxiety but stress even more.

My Iconery x Bando necklace

77% of Americans say they regularly suffer from physical symptoms of stress. Everyone can and will experience stress at some point in their life, but there is a difference in letting stress take over your life. No matter who you are, stress does not discriminate.

If you're experiencing stress, you most likely have a reason for it. Whether it's school, work, family life, a situation with friends... stress comes up in the most peculiar ways. However, stress is incredibly manageable and most of the stress we experience in life will pass, even if it doesn't seem like it will at the time.

Personally, my stress becomes a problem when it overcomes me and I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. When I'm overly stressed that's when I tend to have heightened anxiety and it all muddles together.

When I'm stressed, there are a few things that really help me and they are slightly different from my anxiety cures.

• Write -- whether it's making a to-do list or just writing out a stream of consciousness 
• Take a walk to clear my head
• Talk it out with someone
• Use a stress ball or some other weird habit to distract yourself from what's going on
• Drink water (I don't know why but this helps me so much when I'm stressed or anxious)
• Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts and breathe out for 4 counts 

For stress awareness month, try to do at least one of these things:

xoxo
B

Self-care was a buzzword last year and it has continued well into 2018. To me, the definition of self-care is simple: it's doing what you need to do to care for yourself, to make sure you're in the best mental state.

Self-care could be saying no to going out on Saturday night, it could be going to the gym to clear your head, or simply having a cup of tea and reading a book. Self-care is taking care of yourself first, whether that is mental, physical, or emotion.

Self-care can be defined differently for everyone based on your interests and what eases you. When I'm in need of self-care, I light a few candles, stay off the computer, do a face mask and watch my favorite TV show.

Maybe if I'm feeling anxious, I'll go to the gym, come home and read a book. The possibilities are truly endless with self-care.

Since self-care and wellness have become their own industry, other industries have been cashing in on the buzz as well. That includes the beauty industry...

While I don't think these are marketed as self-care beauty items, I definitely classify them as that. I use them when I need a pick me up, or just need to better myself.



1. Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Mask: I have been intrigued by this mask since it came on the scene and I bought it last week. I've used it about 3 times since then and I'm in love. To me, it's the definition of a self-care mask because it's tingly, a gorgeous blue color, and it shows results -- my pores looked tighter after use and my skin looked more fresh & clear. Last week I was having an off day so I decided to take time with my skincare routine and apply this mask. Adding a few extra minutes of relaxation time was key and this mask was a huge factor in it. It also leaves a minty feeling on your skin afterward which I love!

2. AERIN Rose Lip Conditioner: Ever want to pamper yourself or just give yourself an extra luxurious feeling? That's when I use the AERIN Rose Lip Conditioner. Something about the packaging mixed with the rose scent and the balmy texture of this product makes me feel like a million bucks.

3. Jade Roller: Jade rolling is all the rage nowadays and I've had mine for a few months. However, I didn't spend $40+ on it; I bought the Jade Roller from Amazon for around $8 and it works just as well. It's naturally cool so when you roll it on your face, you get that icy feeling which contributes to the depuffing that Jade Rolling does. There's also something very relaxing about giving yourself a little face massage when you're feeling stressed.

4. Clean and Clear Night Relaxing Jelly Eye Sheet Mask: When I received this product for PR a few months back I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it. The point of this mask is pure relaxation; it covers the upper half of your face and eyes where stress and sleepiness show the most. It also has seaweed extract to help replenish and nourish the skin. Whenever I need some help falling asleep or just need to really relax and recharge, I throw this mask on, close my bedroom door, light a candle and diffuse some oil and just close my eyes. It is so refreshing and probably the most relaxing beauty product I have in my collection. I simply cannot get enough and highly recommend for everyone!

5. Josie Maran Argan Oil: Whenever I want to take my time with my skincare routine to give myself an extra boost of self-care, I reach for an oil -- specifically the OG Argan Oil. It seeps into the skin immediately, feels incredible when applying it and leaves your face glowing. I'm obsessed and want to slather this all over my body (which I sometimes do!)

6. LUSH Sleepy Lotion: Whenever I need to really relax, get a good nights sleep or even just wind down, this lavender scented lotion is my go-to. It's super moisturizing, very relaxing, and the scent is just divine. I highly recommend to everyone!!

What are your self-care beauty items?
xoxo
B

I've been very open about my anxiety, so open that I even wrote an article for Popsugar about my struggle.

Because of my struggles, I'm always down to try something that'll give me a calming effect. Whether that's HUM Nutrition, Nerve Tonic, my medication, or an herbal tea I will try anything once to get rid of an anxious feeling.

That being said, lately, I've been really interested in all things spiritual. It's very trendy nowadays and I've hooked myself onto it. When I say spiritual, I mean crystals, spiritual healing, auras, etc. I just find it so fascinating and it's something that really interests me.

When the opportunity arose to combine my fascination with spiritual healing and anxiety combating tactics I jumped at it.



My mom's friend is a Reiki healer and I've been wanting to do it for so long; we finally made it work and I got my first Reiki session done last Wednesday.

Reiki is a Japenese technique for stress and relaxation which also promotes healing. It involves the idea of 'life force energy' which basically means that the person performing the Reiki can feel if your energy is low or high.



If your energy is low it means that you're very stressed and are more likely to get sick; if your energy is high, it's the opposite and you have more of a happy, healthy life.

So, this is how my session went...


The healer set up a massage table in my mom's room, she turned off the lights except for one lamp; she diffused a few essential oils and played nice, soothing meditation music.

Before the session started she explained what would happen and what she was going to do. She told me that during the session I might get very hot, very cold, I may fall asleep, I might even cry. What I found very interesting is that she said that she would lightly touch me but New York is the only state that Reiki healers are allowed to touch you during the session. Very interesting...

Well, the session started and I was on my stomach first. She touched my shoulders and then the middle of the back; her hands were incredibly warm and felt as if she put warming oil on them (she didn't.)

After a few minutes on my stomach I flipped over onto my back and this is when the Reiki really started.

She stayed at my head for a few minutes, her hands hovering over me and then moved onto my stomach.

At this point, I didn't feel much. I wasn't hot, I wasn't cold, I was just relaxed and felt my body dip into the table like into another level of relaxation.

However, the moment she got to my stomach I felt an intense pulling like she was pressing very hard into my stomach, right where my belly button is. What really freaked me out was that even after her hands moved away and onto my right foot, I still felt the presence of her hands there.

It lasted for another few minutes until she went to my left leg and I felt a little bit of pulling there. At this point, my hands felt a little numb and I felt a little dizzy; she went onto my head and placed her hands at both my ears. There was an intense vibration in the space between her hands and my head which lasted for a little while.

My hands went became even number and I felt my body sink deeper into the table; at one point I also twitched, similar to the feeling you get when you're about to fall asleep and you feel like you're falling.

After the head, she left the room and let me get my bearings. I laid for a bit and then tried to open my eyes but the room was spinning so I closed them. I tried to get the feeling back into my hands and slowly opened my eyes again after a few minutes. Once I was fully back to myself, I got up and she came back into the room.

She said that at first, she thought I didn't feel anything; when I was on my stomach, she saw blackness all around me. When I flipped over and she was at my head, she still saw black. She was upset that it wasn't working for me but that all changed when she got to my stomach.

The moment she got there, which is when I really felt the Reiki, she saw a huge white light and felt the energy flowing through me. That is my red chakra, which is the root chakra. It controls all the other chakras and should be the one that is the healthiest in order for you to remain in balance. If your red chakra is unbalanced you can feel tired, anxious, and very imbalanced -- this makes perfect sense for me as that is the type of person I am; tired and anxious.

When she got to my left leg, she saw a white light in the shape of a heart. In Reiki and meditation if you see a white light it means angels are nearby, or that a positive energy has entered your aura.

After she left my root chakra, everything was white which she took as good sign. She also felt the vibrations at my head which means the energy was flowing.

She told me to hydrate all night and the following day, and that I may feel a little off the next day as I had my chakras cleansed.

I will say, I did feel oddly at ease and slept really well that night. The following day I was in a great mood and felt really good. The feeling lasted for more than 24 hours -- I was really happy on Thursday night and all day Friday.

I do feel like the Reiki worked and put me back in balance -- and even if it's all in my head, I had a nice relaxing, meditation session.

Will I do Reiki again? 100%! It was such a great experience and I do really believe in the power of spiritual healing; I think it was a great start and introduction to a better spiritual being and life.

Do I recommend Reiki? 100%! I think it's a great form of meditation, even if you don't believe in it. It's not like going to a medium or psychic -- it's almost like going to a Yoga class without the working out! It was super interesting and if you have any interest in these things, I think it's a great introduction.

Have you ever had a Reiki session? Would you ever try it?
xoxo
B

Right now I'm dealing with a really bad bout of anxiety. I don't know what it is but I've had it for the past two days and I can't shake it. I've tried to busy myself with organizing, cleaning, and cooking. I binge watched Riverdale on Sunday (again), tried to check things off a to-do list and even took a nap.

*I'm writing this on Monday*

Yesterday I woke up with crippling anxiety and I couldn't focus on anything. I did my hair, watched Youtube videos and I ran a few errands. I tried to write a few different blog posts and nothing would come out. That's why I decided to just ramble about the anxiety I was feeling.

I wanted to write my blog anniversary post which is tomorrow, I tried writing a beauty post that I wanted to post today, and my anxiety was so bad I just couldn't focus. I'm so anxious my hands are shaking. It hasn't been this bad in a while.



I took a break from writing this post because I had a massive anxiety attack. There were lot of tears, shortness of breath, and some screaming. Yes, screaming. Sometimes when the anxiety takes over, I can't control myself and my actions -- it's like I black out and just do whatever it is I need to do to survive. I needed to let all the toxins out and I do that by yelling through my cries.

I'm not sure what exactly triggered the anxiety attack but I do know that it was one of the worst ones and it was physically painful to go through.

I'm going to the doctor on Friday and I have to talk to her about changing my mediciation because the anxiety has been coming harder and faster lately which it shouldn't be because of my mediciation.

It's very funny that I write this now because I just submitted an article for publication about my struggle with anxiety and how I overcame it. I have overcome my daily battle in a way because the anxiety isn't always there, however I do still experience it and that is something I will struggle with forever.

Are you struggling with anxiety today? What are your remedies?
xoxo
B

I have always been a nervous child. After 9/11, my parents got me a dog to take my mind off of what happened. I've always been a worrier, and constantly wondering 'what if'. I was never able to be calm, and I kind of just accepted that this was how it was going to be.

When I got to college, I realized that this was called anxiety. I was really struggling adjusting to life away from home, and I needed to somehow cope with it. I went to the counseling center and proceeded to go my entire four years there. It helped me so much, I was amazed at the change in myself and how talking about my problems, even when I didn't feel like I had something to talk about was helpful.

I didn't go to counseling to cure me, but just to help me cope and understand more about myself and why I was so anxious.

I realized, like most people, I'm a control freak. I like to be in control and I like knowing what is going to happen. I don't like confrontation, and I don't like being uncomfortable. When you combine all of these things, you get a lot of anxiety.



Anxiety and depression also runs in my family, on both sides, so I really didn't have a fighting change.

Senior year of college my anxiety got a little better, which is weird, because I was about to embark on the biggest change of my life. I guess because I was having so much fun, I had life figured out and was top dog at school -- I was too busy to be anxious.

Then, the switch was flipped. I graduated and all hell broke loose. I was trying to figure out my career, my friendships, relationships, and adjusting to life outside of New Rochelle, NY. It was very scary, and my anxiety kicked into full gear. I have never experienced anything like this and it was very scary. Anxiety attacks were more frequent, I couldn't get out of bed, and could barely function on a daily basis.

I had crippling anxiety, and had no idea why. I can't explain the feeling, and people who don't experience anxiety won't really understand.



My anxiety is all physical; I can't breathe, I get very hot and I get a pit in my chest & stomach. This translates into me not being able to think about anything else but the reason for my anxiety.

It's even worse when I don't know the reason for my anxiety. I hate that more than when there is a reason for it; when the anxiety pops up out of nowhere, and I can't identify the reason, that cripples me.

I got to a point in 2014 when my anxiety was so bad that I started seeing a therapist. This helped immensley and like I said before, talking to someone once a week helped my anxiety level out. However, I knew deep down inside that this wasn't something that I could cure on my own. This was around the time I started taking Nervetonic and the relief that I experienced was unpalapable. I knew that this anxiety was something that I needed medical help in treating.

How I Treat My Anxiety

I had to stop going to therapy after I got my fulltime job and shortly after, I went to my phsyican and she finally put me on medication, Lexapro, to be exact.

It was such a relief when my body reacted to the medicine and as I kept taking it, my reaction to any anxiety decreased, and my anxiety that would happen for no reason, stopped. I was able to think more clearly when there was a problem, and it just made my life better. I could cry thinking about it because it was so lifechanging for me that I didn't have to suffer anymore.

After my dad died, my doctor increased my medication and then about a year later, I was switched to Celexa because my body was too used to the Lexapro.

I have a feeling that I'm going to have to change it again soon because I've been having more anxiety and massive panic attacks.

My anxiety and depression counteract each other, because if anxiety wasn't enough, I have depression too. There are some days (like last Friday) when I was so low and I could barely function because I felt so unhappy. I didn't want to talk to anyone and just wanted to lay in bed. The high of anxiety, and the low of depression mix together and give the most horrible feeling in the world.

The reason for me telling you all of this is to share where my anxiety manifested from and to let you know that it IS ok to seek help in the form of medicine. If you feel like your anxiety is just too much to handle, something is probably imbalanced and medicine will help that. I wouldn't be able to function the way I do without my meds.

I also highly recommend seeking out therapy. I have been thinking about getting back there because like I said, recently I've been having panic attacks which is something I haven't dealt with in over 10 years.

Other Ways I Deal with Anxiety

Aside from medicine, I also still take Nervetonic & my new found love, Big Chill from HUM, when I feel a little low during the day.

Mediation has also helped me, mostly when I have anxiety at night before I go to sleep. I use the apps 'Relax Meditation' and 'Calm' and it really makes all the difference.

In addition to natural meds and apps, essential oils have been a huge help. When I'm feeling a little anxious, I diffuse Lavendar and Peppermint oils, but if I'm on the go I have my Babe Magnet oil from Evil Queen (she doesn't have the oils anymore but your local drugstore should have rollerball oils which I highly recommend!)

If your anxiety or depression is taking over your life, you don't need to live like that. You can go to therapy to understand it or have your physican prescribe you something because you deserve to live a fulfilling, anxiety free life.

xoxo
B

Today's post is brought to you in partnership with The Newsette & HUM Nutrition

I've previously written about my obsession with the Hum Nutrition Beauty zZzzs supplments and I thought I'd expand that with some deep diving into other aspects, and another products from the brand.

Let's first start out with what HUM is...



HUM Nutrition is an all-natural line of supplments; the mission of HUM is to make take your beauty routine inside out and giving you all natural, non GMO, organic & vegan supplments that focus on prevention, and long term care.

It's taking self-care and turning it on it's head. All about wellness, HUM gives you the supplments and vitamins in fun packaging, with fun names to make things a little more Instagram chic, which I can always appreciate.

One of my favorite parts about HUM is that you can take a little test on their website and it'll tell you what kind of supplments and vitamins you need. You can subscribe to their program through HUMNutrition.com or buy stand alone products at a variety of retailers like Nordstrom and Sephora.

Self care is a true buzz word nowadays and I love incorparting these supplments into that routine.

As I mentioned before, I already love Beauty zZzzs so I always end my day with a capsule, some Sleepytime Tea, some essential oils and my Mediation app.




My favorite thing in the world is to be relaxed and calm, and some days I'm so high strung that I can't calm down. Pairing my HUM supplment with all my other relaxing properities creates the most ideal space for me to fall asleep.

The Beauty zzZz supplment contains melatonin and B6, and helps promote a restful beauty sleep. Without sleep, your skin and body will suffer so any makeup you put on to mask that tiredness won't have the same effect.

I've taken other sleeping 'pills' and they always take forever to kick in, and then makes me very groggy the next morning. When I took Beauty zZzz for the first time, I was stunned at how fast I went to sleep and how I felt rested the next morning -- it didn't feel like I didn't get any sleep. It really works and since I've been taking this (almost 2 years), I don't feel the need to take any other sleep supplment.

On the flip side, I got to try out another HUM supplment. I've spoken freely about my struggle with anxiety, depression, and stress and lately, my stress level has been through the roof. Nothing has really been cutting it when it comes to helping me deal with stress, so 'Big Chill' came at the perfect time.

Big Chill says that it helps you cope with and remove the signs of stress. It slows down your reaction to stress and will help you focus better during times of high stress -- which is probably my #1 issue with stress. Whenever I'm really stressed and anxious, I can't focus on anything else so this is a great feature for me.

When I'm home and feeling anxious, there are a few things that I do to make myself feel better, and they pair beautifully with the Big Chill supplments.



If I'm stressed to the point of no return, I hide out in my room, turn the lights off and shut off the computer. I light a candle, diffuse some essential oils, and grab a book. I will watch some television because I always have the television on. I try to chug some water, maybe even have a calming tea but combining all of this with the Big Chill has really worked out for me... (I mean, Big Chill works fine on it's own too!) but I love pairing all my relaxing, destressing items together.

Like I said, self care is all the rage but truthfully I've been doing self care since before it was cool. I just love that there's a word for it now!

I'm anxious (in the best way) to try some more HUM products to add to my routine(s) because these two have worked out so well, and I'm all about wellness this year!

If you're curious about HUM, use the code NEWSETTE for 20% off your order at HUMNutrition.com!

PS: If you HAVEN'T signed up for The Newsette yet, I HIGHLY recommend you do so now!

xoxo
B

We got through Valentine's Day with flying colors! I am so pleased that I don't have to worry about February 14th for another year!

If you didn't read my Valentine's Day blog post, I recommend reading it now. It gives you a bit of an inside look at my dating world, something that I've always been hesitant to talk about, which I will maybe talk about in the future.



It was another long week here in the world of Briana... work has been very busy; my sister has started interning with me (it's a very interesting experience so far which maybe I will write about). Even though the week was busy, I felt oddly light. I didn't feel too stressed out, I didn't feel anxious, and I was in a fine mood.

It wasn't until today (Thursday) that I started to feel anxious. Maybe it's because the week is over and I'm looking forward to Friday, or it could be that the weekend has been giving me a lot of anxiety lately. I don't know if it's because work has been hard, or because I feel like I have a lot of things to accomplish in only two days, but it's weird.

This is the first week where my weekend anxiety kicks in TWO DAYS early. Why am I like this?

OH, this week Lent started and every year, I do try to give something up. The past few years I have failed but this year, I am giving up shopping. I am DETERMINED to do this no buy. As a good Catholic, I want to do my best. Let's see how it goes...

Ok, now for my favorite links of the week!

• The beauty products you need at your desk
• Love advice from the Match.com copywriter
• Essie is releasing another bridal collection & it's gorgeous
• An overview of the Kate Spade Smartwatch (my review coming soon!)
• Rose infused beauty products for the month of love!
• Fifty Shades Freed came out this week & here are all the lipsticks Dakota wore in the movie!

This was a hard week in so many ways. I was super stressed out and anxious, I had a mental breakdown at work and just felt on the verge of tears every single day. Not to mention my commute to and from work was an issue every.single.day and by tonight, I'm ready to throw in the towel.

Have you ever just felt defeated? Like you were one step away from falling off the edge of a cliff? That's how I feel right now. I'm very thankful that it's Friday night and very thankful that I'm in my pajamas and watching Hocus Pocus.

I was also super busy this week; work was the busiest it's been in a while and I was writing up a storm. I just got brought onto PizzaBottle as a freelance writer and wrote 4 articles for them this week...I also have an article coming out on one of my FAVORITE websites and I'll be sure to post that once it's up.

For now, here's my first (very personal) article for PizzaBottle! 

I'm writing more pitches while also trying to plan out content for the blog and responding to my emails... it's just been a week.

Tomorrow I'm going for brunch with my sorority sisters and I can't wait to eat, drink, and be merry with my best friends.



I will stop rambling and present you with my favorite links from the week!

• Silk pillowcases from Amazon, I'm in on these
• Ebay is bring in authentication services for their luxury bags which is better late than never
• A few Starbucks tricks to up your coffee game
• A new book from Lauren Graham? YES PLEASE
• I need the new Kate Spade book 'SHE' like yesterday
• My favorite website just went mainstream! VIVA

Since I was a little girl I loved being alone. My mom tells me stories of how I would sit in my room for hours, on the floor, playing with my 'people'. She would call out to me "Briana, come sit with Mommy" and as a 2-3 year old girl I'd shout back "I'm playing with my people!"

As I got older, my room was always a safe haven. I could entertain myself for hours reading books, writing stories, watching TV or just relaxing. I don't need a lot to keep myself occupied and I'm perfectly fine entertaining myself.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that I was first born so for 3 years, I did have to occupy myself and maybe it has to do with the fact that my sister and I are very different so we never really liked the same things... so I always had to occupy myself.

However, I'm just someone who is content being alone. I can do things on my own time without having to worry aboout other people, and can really do whatever I want when I'm alone.

If I'm shopping alone I can go to whatever store I want; I can go to eat wherever I want, and I can leave the mall whenever I want. If I'm out with my friends, I usually always bring my own car so I know I can leave whenever I want too.

Maybe I just don't like relying on other people (as I'm writing this I'm having a deep psychological revealation) but I think it's just that I don't mind being alone.

When I went to college, it was a really big adjustment because I was NEVER EVER alone. I'd cherish the mornings when I would wake up and all 9 of my roommates were still asleep, or if I was the first one to get back to the room after a long weekend. It was just nice to escape and be by myself. It was a very overwhelming experience to constantly being surrounded by people 24.7.

 Within a year, I got really used to it and by senior year, I never wanted to be alone. I craved people's company and always wanted to be doing something. It was a culture shock when I came back home and I was alone all the time again. I no longer enjoyed being alone and I think that's why I became so depressed.



I've since found a good balance and I think I realize why alone time is important. Below are a few reasons why I think being alone is a good thing... (at times)

• You learn more about yourself and what makes you happy. 
• You get away from the hustle and bustle of the world and can really think things through
• Relax! Being alone means you can rest and relax with anyone bothering you. Recharge those batteries!
• Hobbies; when you're alone you have time to do the things you like. For me it's writing and reading, for you it may be drawing or crafting!
• Pampering: I love to pamper myself when I'm chilling alone. Face masks and hair masks galore!

Since I was little I've been a natural worrier. After 9/11 my parents had to get me a dog to keep me occupied and my mind off of the terrorist attack -- that's how big of a worrier I was and still am.

That worry has since translated into stress and anxiety; in high school and college I was stressed about everything and in between, the anxiety struck. I've discussed my anxiety before but don't think I ever really wrote an entire post dedicated to how I deal with it. Stress and anxiety go hand in hand for me now because if I'm stressed out, it creates anxiety and if I have anxiety, it causes stress.

I also want to make sure I write this more generally so that even if you're a college student dealing with the stress of exams or student activities, you can find an answer in this too.




Whether you're feeling like you can't breathe because of an anxiety attack or because you're drowning in stress, I hope something in this post can help you!

• Nerve Tonic: I am NOT A DOCTOR but I need to mention this. I wrote an entire post about this pill two years ago but felt like I needed to mention it again. I've gone through so many bottles since discovering it after I graduated but it's worth it. Whenever I feel an anxiety attack coming on, or just so much anxiety that I can't focus, I'll take two pills and I feel the cloud lift. I don't know what it is, but I promise it helps. Hylands creates a lot of pills for babies and children I really trust them. ALSO, I'm not addicted and haven't had any side effects and like I've said, I've been taking them for years.

• Essentials Oils: Since discovering essentials oils I've fallen in love. I have a diffuser and bought these off of Amazon and diffuse constantly. Whenever I feel very stressed out, I close my bedroom door, turn the lights out, and lay in bed while lavender oils diffuse. I also carry around this calming roller ball that I apply to my pulse points whenever I'm a little too high strung

• Water: I just bought this swell bottle so I am always equipped with a good amount of water, no matter where I am. I already drink a lot of water (besides coffee and tea, it's the only thing I drink) but I found that drinking water helps ease my anxiety and stress. It could be in my head but I feel like I read that somewhere...

• Candles: This is probably my favorite thing on the list -- I'm addicted to candles. Whenever I need a pick me up I turn on my string lights and light a few candles and it immediately calms me down. I cannot stop buying Evil Queen candles so they're currently my favorite to burn. The smell and vibe of a good candle is enough to ease any trouble! 
• Movies, TV, books: Whenever I'm really in a funk, I try to occupy my mind so a good book or television show (or a Youtube binge) is just what the doctor ordered.

I had this post originally planned for tomorrow, but when I sat down on Sunday to write it, it felt unnatural. It wasn't originally a Tuesday Inspiration post, it was an update on how I've been dealing with my dad's death.

Last Friday was the 1 year anniversary which is why my weekly wrap up post was posted on Saturday. I wasn't too sure of how I would feel on the anniversary and didn't know what to expect but it was like any other day, I just felt a little more somber.

I was more upset on Thursday, anticipating it, and a little more mellow on Saturday afterwards. I went to work on Friday and then got dinner with a few friends afterwards; it was a normal day but in the back of my mind, it was still there.

When I sat down to write this post, I didn't know what I wanted to say because it just still feels weird. It's been one year without my dad and I still don't know how I'm handling it. I'm just at a loss for words when it comes to this; I miss him so much and I have to remind myself daily that he isn't here. It's very weird to wake up and remember that your life is different and someone you loved unconditionally is no longer with you.



I've been open with my grief but right now, I don't really know what to say.

I guess this is just a nonsense, rambling blog post & I apologize for that but sometimes I need Royally Pink to be a place where I dump my thoughts incoherently.

All I will say is that if you lose someone you love, no matter who it is, the sun still shines and the world still turns. You can get through it because I have and I know people who have as well. It is not the end of the world even though it may feel like it is. Take your time to grieve, but you will spend the rest of your life grieving; the pain will get better but you will still have times where you slip up and want to call that person and you know they will not be there.

You will get choked up and cry on the train looking at photos, and when you hear someone mention their dad it will sting like no tomorrow. But you can do it, because you have to.

xoxo
B

We're halfway through February and I can't even believe it. I don't want March-August to come, but I do because it means I'm one step closer to Fall! I really don't think anyone understands how much I hate the spring & summer, but whatever, I'll stop talking about it!

This week was tough for me; I battled some bad days at the beginning of the week and it was kind of eye opening to me. I've realized that I really haven't been in a good place and it's time that I accept I'm in a funk. Just because I'm on anxiety medication doesn't mean the world is full of sunshine and butterflies. My life is not that bad and I make it horrible -- I feel like I'm fighting against myself on a daily basis and I need to fix it.

For the past two days I've really been paying attention to this and just choosing to be in a better mood and it seems to be working. I think I also need to realize that by constantly complaining that I'm tired and forcing myself to accept that, that I'm actually just making myself tired.

I think a few weeks ago when I found about the Vitamin D deficiency, I grabbed onto that and ran with it. I used it as a crutch and an excuse for how I was feeling. I think I do that a lot; with my anxiety and my depression as well.

I'm realizing I have some work to do on myself and I think it's a good time to do it. I had a similar epiphany during September of last year and had a really good thing going but then my dad died and it all went to shit, and rightfully so.

I always seem to get super deep on weekly wrap ups but it's the perfect time to just dump my feelings out on all of you. I hope you know you can dump your feelings out on me too, I'm always here to listen!



Onto happier things... here are my favorite links from this week!

• I have a work trip in May and I really want this suitcase
• Unicorn makeup is SO in and I kind of love it
• Such adorable loafers! 
• I need to try Babyfacial ASAP
• Everything you need for the ultimate night's sleep

I've explained countless times on here how I suffer from anxiety. It's something that started my senior year of high school, got worse freshmen year of college and then I finally realized what it was my junior year. Dawning on the fact that "oh, I have anxiety, that's what this feeling is" really helped me deal with it.

I had a concrete answer to what I was feeling and what my body/mind was going through.

The anxiety went away a lot senior year of college because I was having too much fun; things were good for me, and then I graduated and the anxiety took control of me.

I've tried therapy, journaling, yoga -- all those things worked but I knew it was something bigger inside my head. I would feel a switch go off inside my mind and suddenly, there was the anxiety that's been looming over my head. I knew this was deeper; much deeper than being cured with a few downward facing dogs.

In September 2015 I went on medication to help deal with my anxiety and my life changed forever. The air was lighter, things weren't as scary anymore and the world was just a better place. When my dad died, my dosage was increased and things felt much better.



I'm not one of those people who don't believe in medicine (I don't judge you if you are, to each their own!) but I pop advil like they're candy and I've seen what medicine does for people with depression and anxiety; I knew this was something that would help me and it did. My life got better.

Now, I think it's time to change things up. I had a massive anxiety attack at work yesterday and I've been very tired *like I've explained*, and I feel myself slipping into that deep slump again. The slump, the black dog, the funk as I explain it as...it's coming and I really don't want it to take hold of me again.

Until I get back to my doctor and talk about changing up my medicine, I've been trying to do things to help in the meantime. Essential oils, reading a calming book, Nerve Tonic, tea & lots of water... I'm doing them as I write this post and it made a world of difference in my mood. I just feel insanely calm, and I'm thankful for those helpful tips to make my life a little better.

That quote above explains what anxiety is all about, and how it feels to be inside your head at all hours of the day.

I'll definitely be expanding more on this in the future, and I did have something else planned for today, but I was feeling inspired ... and anxious.

xoxo
B

I talk about a lot of things I love on here; I rarely talk about things I dislike, expect the disappointing beauty products.  I also LOVE a lot of things; just small, trivial things make me super happy, like the first crisp fall day, wearing a comfortable sweatshirt, when the subway comes as soon as I get on the platform, or a fresh biscuit right out of the oven.

Another week has come & gone. I'm getting ready to head to my cousin's wedding today (it's raining and just not good wedding weather) and I haven't been to a wedding in over 10 years. I'm pretty excited to eat & drink... Millennial complex, ladies & gents.



I hate feeling rushed & hectic but that's what this morning is: I went to the Drybar for the 1st time last night and it was epic. More on that later... but this morning I need to paint my nails, shower, pack up and get out of the house by 2 PM.

The good news is that next week is Memorial Day Weekend which means the start of summer fridays at work so I'll have off every other Friday. I am SO HYPED.

This was also a week of highs & lows. I got published on Elite Daily again but was also passed over for a freelance position and another Elite Daily article got rejected. You win some, you lose some but I'm getting used to rejection...as all writers & everyone else should. Take it with stride!



Also -- the Champagne Glow Collection by Becca & Jaclyn Hill releases next week (I already have the face palette that was released in limited quantities this week) and I'm planning on buying everything because JH is QUEEN and I'm so excited.



That being said, here's what I loved this week:

• 50 couples who made us believe in love
• Twitter is making links & photos NOT part of the 140 character limit! #Rejoice 
• Gilmore Girls is coming back & you may want to refresh your memory 
• Baking a cake? Follow some of these tips
• Student loans are the bane of my existence 
• Interesting article on why we don't enjoy our free time
• Got anxiety? These apps can help