I’m not a doctor, therapist, or medical professional. I’m simply sharing things I personally discovered and found helpful during my own experiences with anxiety and depression. Please consult your healthcare provider before trying any new supplements, treatments, or wellness practices.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share products and resources that I believe may be helpful and worth considering.
I think I’ve always been a pretty high-anxiety sorta gal. Actually, I know I’ve always been high anxiety.
Why? Well, all sorts of reasons, really. Some were major hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, after giving birth, and during that tender postpartum season. Some were circumstantial and pretty easy to point at and say, “Yeah, that’s why I’m struggling right now.” But other reasons will remain great mysteries to me.
Sometimes I don’t understand why the grip of anxiety gets tighter or the pit of depression feels deeper.
And that sucks. It really does.
But I’m also the sorta gal who craves healing and wholeness. I long to become stronger, calmer, and more…me.
I’ve hit some low lows before, if I’m gonna be honest with you. (And I will always be honest with you because we’re friends.) If you’ve been there—or maybe you’re there right now—you get it. You know the energy it takes just to do simple things. Some mornings it feels like a huge question mark how you’ll make it to the end of the day, much less attend that social thing you feel obligated to go to.
I wish I had all the answers, but I don’t. What I do have are a few things that helped me—especially in the evenings and at night when I was left alone with my thoughts (scary, I know) and when sleep became elusive or spotty.
My hope is simply to offer you options. To validate your feelings and share things that helped me, even just a little bit. Because if you’ve dealt with depression or major anxiety, you know we’ll take “a little bit” of help anytime.
Therapy
Whether you go through your insurance, self-pay, or use a website like Open Path, I highly encourage you to start therapy. Therapy changed my life.
And always remember: if your therapist isn’t a good fit, find another one. This is for you, not for them. You’re not going to hurt their feelings.
The Psychology Today website is a great tool for finding a therapist who accepts your insurance, supports your beliefs, and offers online and/or in-person appointments.
One tip: contact the therapist directly before booking to double-check that they actually accept your insurance. Sometimes websites aren’t up to date, and this can save you a headache.
Limit Caffeine & Alcohol
I realized that sleep had to become my top priority. I was awake for four, five, sometimes six hours a night—for weeks at a time. I felt like I was going crazy.
Some nights I was worrying about something specific. Other nights my mind and body simply would not go to sleep. The darkness made every worry, concern, and struggle feel so much bigger.
During the day, I wanted extra coffee or caffeine because I was exhausted. But then the caffeine kept me up at night, which meant I didn’t sleep deeply. So I was tired the next day and wanted even more caffeine.
Umm… notice the cycle anyone?
The same thing happened with alcohol. Even just one glass of wine before bed to “decompress” totally messed with my sleep. I wanted to relax before bed, but then I couldn’t actually rest once I got there. Ugh.
Weighted Blanket
I can’t totally describe how I felt in bed before I got a weighted blanket.
Unsafe.
Regular bedding felt like air. There was no cozy or secure feeling. I didn’t feel grounded in my own bed. I felt like I was floating.
If you know, you know.
The moment I got a weighted blanket, everything changed. I felt secure, safe, and grounded. It wasn’t an uncomfortable weight—it felt like a big, safe hug. It helped my sleep feel steadier and more restful. This is the one I have had for years.
CBD
Does CBD make you feel high? Not at all.
Does it make you feel drunk? Nope.
Does it keep you in reality while turning the noise and stress down just a little bit? Yes.
It helped soften my anxiety, slow my mind, and calm my nerves enough to help me fall asleep. It wasn’t a dramatic change—just a subtle, gentle nudge toward calm.
There are gummies, drinks, lotions, and capsules. (Do a little research and talk with your healthcare provider to determine what might be the best fit for you.)
And remember: if one CBD product doesn’t work for you, you’re allowed to try another.
Abide Meditation
The biggest help to helping me focus on calm and peace… this app.
I cannot tell you how incredible this was for my peace, sleep, and overall sense of calm.
Whether you use AirPods or wired earbuds, make the space and time for this when you lay down to sleep. When I was ready for bed, I would lay down and immediately start a sleep mediation. Most nights I wouldn’t even make it through the whole thing because I would already fall asleep. If I did wake up at night, there was a mediation for that too. (Shout out to Tyler Boss for making me fall asleep for years. He is my fave. But there are so many narrators that you can try and see who works best for you.)
There are meditation categories for just about everything—anxiety, depression, parenting, emotions, healing and sleep (which was my favorite because sleep was my enemy for a while).
My faith is incredibly important to me, so meditations rooted in Scripture are especially meaningful. A different app that my husband uses and loves is Headspace. It simply fit his personality and needs a little better. He was able to focus and really absorb the meditations much easier.
PJs & Bedding
I don’t know why I am the way I am, but I’m just going to share a few more things that helped tremendously—even if they might sound a little odd.
What are you wearing to bed?
When you lay down, does it feel comfortable? Or does it add a little anxiety or discomfort?
At one point during pregnancy, I needed tall, secure leggings to sleep well. Later, I needed loose pants gathered at the ankle. Pay attention to what you’re wearing and whether it actually feels cozy.
And what about your sheets and blankets?
Are they too smooth? Too rough? Too warm?
Does your pillow support your neck the way you need it to? Would a body pillow be a game changer?
Over the last few years, I’ve gone from a very firm L-shaped pillow to a softer U-shaped pillow. Adding a firm body pillow for structure and support made a huge difference in the comfort my body experienced at night.
And when my body felt more comfortable, my mind often followed.
There is no one-size fits all solution for anxiety and depression. Trust me, I know. But I truly hope that sharing my experience helps you, even in a small way. Keep going. Keep researching and trying new things. Don’t give up hope. I have been in the storm clouds and I promise you, the sunshine is coming. Don’t let other’s judgment or expectations stop you from finding help.
For Part 2, check out what other things that helped my anxiety over the years here.
