Q: “What’s a good piece of advice that someone has given you?” – Riley

A: I constantly find myself asking for advice from all kinds of people to really feed my mind into being more well-rounded and not being afraid to ask for help. You will get some of the most interesting pieces of advice from some of the most unexpected people. Sometimes, one small tip mentioned years and years ago will stick with you loudly for the rest of your life. I’m this way with some advice my dad gave me throughout my teenage years. You never know what someone is capable of; being nice to every person you meet might give you everything, eventually. First impressions are, unfortunately, a very key factor in someone’s opinion of you. Remaining positive and kind will make you more likeable, memorable, and generally more approachable. This concept alone will open so many doors for you as it has for me. Other advice that has really stuck with me includes not exfoliating my skin every day or even once a week. It’s amazing how much that little fact has done for my skin! Money tips, travel tips, life hacks, etc., are everywhere you look. Asking people for their thoughts on certain matters is perfectly okay and even makes that person feel good. Another suggestion I heard that resonated was to run the dishwasher twice. There are no rules. Who says you have to take the dishes out and wash them again? Just run it again. Nobody will punish you for not having the energy to deal with the dishes, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with running the dishwasher again. The moral of this is that there is nothing wrong with needing time, shortcuts, etc. Do what you have to do, but the process is up to you!

Q: “I’m just struggling. I’m so stressed that I can hardly eat, move or relax. How do I manage this?” – Estefania

A: I’m so sorry that you’re experiencing this. I hope you remember that above all else, you will be okay. Humanity has worked for thousands of years to make sure that we get better at remaining okay. Regardless of what happens, you are alive and things have the potential to get better. We could whip out the old “things will get better” trope, but the meaning is the same. You have to stick in there to see the ways in which it does, actually, get better. Start by breathing, of course. It seems silly, but all of us forget to breathe – and even worse, we forget even more often to breathe deeply. Give yourself something to focus on that does not include your own thoughts. I saw something online the other day that said when you feel anxious or are in mid-anxiety attack, apply something cold to your vagus nerve. This is your most central, big-boss nerve that largely determines your reactions to anxiety. Press an ice pack onto your chest and keep it there for 15 minutes. You could also try an ice cold shower, but I’m sure you don’t want misery on top of your anxiety. Write down easy, manageable goals. It’s okay if you can’t do them yet. Make sure your basic necessities are being taken care of. If you can’t get yourself to brush your teeth, at least swish some mouthwash. If you can’t eat, try drinking something with substance, like a smoothie or even a glass of milk. Take the time you need, but try to do the bare minimum to take care of yourself until it gets more manageable. Once you start accomplishing small tasks you’ve laid out for yourself, you will feel more productive and more capable. If it took all of your energy to do those small tasks, that’s okay! You can try again tomorrow (in most cases). Be okay with feeling the totality of your feelings.