Contributors: Tammi Hall, Nina Hokeness, Stacey Strachman (Leigh Parents)
There may be moments in your life when things feel overwhelming. Listed below are some great resources to use to help reduce feelings of anxiety or stress. Some are videos or apps that you can access from a smartphone or computer; others are articles that offer different strategies.
Here’s a live webcam from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and California Academy of Sciences, to get you relaxed and started before reviewing all of the information below:
- Guided Meditation Imagery with Jellies – Monterey Bay Aquarium
- LiveCam from the California Academy of Sciences
Meditation
Below, are website resources that offer different ways to handle anxiety and stress:
- https://insighttimer.com/ – meditations, music, apps for sleep, section for kids (free!)
- OAK (free, iPhone only)
- https://www.stopbreathethink.com/ – mindfulness, helping to create connection and awareness of the present moment, breathing, meditation (free trial)
- Box Breathing, or here’s a video that explains the process.
- https://www.calm.com/ – guided meditations, nature sounds, exclusive music (7-day free trial)
- Headspace
- Mindful.org
Links to articles
- Get outdoors!
- 7 daily habits (it says for college students, but really for anyone)
- Check out Kaiser Permanente’s live well free podcasts
Home-based Exercise Programs
- Yoga with Adrienne – offering variety of meditative yoga sessions and other yoga sessions
- Breathe Bubble
- Daily Burn for yoga and strength training. It’s a great platform that allows you to online fitness classes. They have a 30-day free trial.
- BeFit a free YouTube channel with lots of options. Their videos are searchable according to your area of interest (e.g., strength training, beginner yoga).
- Wii Fit Plus (requires a Wii) has a variety of different workout options.
Epsom Salt Baths
Epsom salts are comprised of magnesium (a muscle relaxer and osmotic laxative) and sulphate (a form of sulphur and key detoxifier.) Try taking 20-minute Epsom salt bath (with 2 cups+ of salt) 3 times per week in warm to hot water to reduce stress and body aches, and boost detoxification. Recommend Epsom salts: Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes or SaltWorks Ultra Epsom Fine Grain (bulk sizes available).
Learn skills and strategies to manage stress using the HAERT™️ Program
HAERT stands for Happiness, Awareness and Emotional Resilience Training. This program consists of short videos, each just 5-15mins long. The program offers practical tips and ideas on how to manage your emotions, develop relationship skills, make responsible decisions and develop effective life skills. Our school has secured free access to the program so a login or password is not required. Click on the image below to access the videos:
COVID-19 Teen TOOLBOX Free Resources
Free resources from Gina Biegl, a local therapist, can be found here and include:
- Blogs
- Podcasts
- Self-Care Coloring Pages
- Take in the Good Downloads
- Free Audio Mindfulness Practices
- Videos
- Trainings
- New Daily Take 5 Positive Coping Skills