12 Days of Blogmas: Athleisure Chic with LIUID

I’m back and I survived finals. {#PraiseTheLord}  Today I’m featuring a product for a cause that’s near and dear to my heart PLUS some gift ideas for the wellness lover in your life!

I was so thrilled when LIUID reached out to me about the collaboration they are doing with Project 375, a non-profit dedicated to eliminating the stigmas surrounding mental health and founded by New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall.  With 1 in 4 people suffering from some form of mental illness, Project 375 strives to raise awareness and normalize the stereotypes and characterizations made about those that have a mental illness.  For each pair of these sneakers sold, $18 goes to Project 375 and the work they do.

I’ve struggled with an anxiety disorder my entire life;  in the past four years since I was diagnosed, life has become so much easier and brighter for me.  While I’ll never be the social butterfly that I spent most of my teen years longing to be, I’ve been able to make changes that have made day to day tasks attainable and have found that I don’t feel nearly as much dread as I did prior to finding a lifestyle that works.

Some of the biggest things that have helped me:

• Having a regular sleep schedule | This is one of those things that everyone tells you, but seemed out of reach.  I struggle a lot with “shutting off” my mind at bedtime and so staying awake until 4 in the morning {and then waking up at 7 or 8} was pretty normal.  While I still admittedly don’t have the best sleeping habits, I try really hard to disconnect about 30 minutes before bed and avoid opening my phone or laptop back up to make lists or look things up.
• Exercising | Working out regularly has been huge in helping me to regulate my sleep schedule because my body gets physically tired.  On top of that, the endorphins that everyone raves about really help me to stabilize my mood.  It can be hard to “find the time” and if you’re like me to find an activity that you actually enjoy, so I try to switch things up from time to time by taking a new class or trying a new place.  I really enjoy weight lifting over cardio and try to get a solid 45 minute workout 4-5 days a week.
• Journaling | It’s super common for untreated anxiety disorders to lead to depression, which is actually how I discovered I had mine.  One of the early coping techniques that was recommended to me was journaling.  I’ve always loved writing, which could be why it works so well for me, but I try to jot everything down when I start to feel overwhelmed.  Just putting it out there {even though it’s for my eyes only} really helps me to think about what worries I can control and which ones I don’t have any control over.
• Cutting back on caffeine {and alcohol!} | Disclaimer: I don’t drink colas or coffee so this step was easier for me than for most.  While I do love sweet tea, I’ve learned to cut back from a daily glass to only having it about once a week.  Caffeine can amplify anxiety so cutting back or avoiding it altogether is hugely recommended.  I stick to a weekly glass or two of sangria and avoid hard liquor except for special occasions like girls night out or holiday parties.

All of these steps are tips that have worked for me, but may not work for everyone.  More information on mental health resources near you as well as signs to look for in loved ones and how to get help can be found here.