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How to Cope with Stress and Anxiety
I never thought that I would see a time when I would barely leave my house. In mid-March, I began working from home due to the pandemic. This was great because I am a primary caregiver to my mom who has dementia. Adult Day Care was closed so this meant we would be together.
Working From Home
It was not hard to get used to working from home. We slowly moved everything into a small spare bedroom. I am so blessed because I still have a job and an income to support my family. I get to spend time with my mom which is so important to me.
Caring For Someone Who Has Dementia During COVID
The hardest part of caring for my mom who has dementia during COVID is having to explain why we are not going places, why no one is visiting and why we have to wear a mask to her doctor’s appointments. She is doing the very best she can and we find things for her to do while I work. She loves to color and do the word find books, she likes to go for rides, and she likes to sit outdoors. I am not going to lie she will ask me many times a day for me to take her to visit people. This has been tough!
PIN IT! My mom blowing bubbles without a care in the world.
Coping with Mental Exhaustion, Stress, and Anxiety
Around four weeks ago I noticed I was exhausted, overwhelmed, could not recall our last vacation, drained, grumpy, and not excited about anything. I felt I was alone and no one cared about me. My brain would not shut down and it was all over the place.
Telling Someone How you Feel
My husband is going through some issues of his own. He was supposed to start a new job on April 1st and he was so excited. He had not signed his benefit papers so he has no benefits. He could tell I was going through something that was out of the norm for me. I opened up and talked to him. When I told him I felt alone he was so surprised! I am not one to cry but I started bawling.
Goodbye Stress-Popular on Amazon
How to Get Out of a Rut
I decided to take several half days off from work and have a Staycation. I find doing activities I enjoy is therapeutic and it provides an escape. For me, I like getting outdoors, doing things I love to do, learning new things, and staying off the computer/social media certainly provides stress relief. To disconnect and unplug is very important for me to cope with mental exhaustion.
Gardening
I love to work in my container garden. I had two zucchinis that were ready to harvest last week. I made my first zucchini bread and it was a fail. I tried to make it low carb and it just wasn’t what I wanted. I am going to try again for sure! If you have a recipe you love I would love to get it from you!
The cucumbers will be ready soon and I plan to make pickles.
PIN IT! Canning Pickles, Green Beans in Instant Pot are wonderful
I made Claussen Knock Pickles a few years back but lost my recipe. I found one that I think is similar to the one I had. I plan to make a few jars again. These are refrigerator pickles.
Claussen Pickle Recipe ( I found this on https://rosevinecottagegirls.com/homemade-claussen-pickles-recipe/)
Claussen Pickle Ingredients:
- 8-9 Small to Medium Pickling Cucumbers
- 6 Cups spring water
- 1/2 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar (raw)
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher Dill Pickle Mix
- 1/3 Cup Canning or Kosher Salt (Don’t use fine)
- 4 Cloves of Garlic
- 4 Fresh dill heads
- 1 Teaspoon Mixed Pickling Spice
Directions:
- Wash cucumbers, but don’t scrub. Slice the cucumber longwise in half, or quarters (depending on the size of your cucumbers you may want to cut them in half also)
- Layer cucumber wedges, garlic, and dill in jars.
- In a small bowl mix water, vinegar, salt, and mixed pickling spice. Stir until salt is dissolved.
- Pour the brine over the cucumbers, if necessary place something heavy over them to keep them submerged. Cover with cheesecloth and secure so bugs can’t get in. Leave on the counter for 2-4 days out of the sunshine until they taste like pickles.
- When done, place a lid on top of the jar and secure it. Store in your fridge for up to 6 months as long as they are covered in brine. If at some point you see foam or bubbles appear on the top, simply spoon it off.
Birds
I enjoy watching the birds at my feeders and sipping my coffee. My mom loves it as well and while I am busy working I turn videos on for her watch as she colors. It has a calming effect on both of us. I really like videos by Paul Dining (newest one below)
Trying new Recipes and Small Appliances
We got an Air Fryer over a year ago and had never used it. I decided to watch some youtube videos and cook a few things.
I made these pork chops in the Air Fryer and they were delicious.
Baked Potatoes
Instant Pot
I made some delicious fresh green beans in my instant pot.
Green Beans
1 1/2 pounds of green beans strung and cut in half
1 1/2 cup chicken broth
3 strips of bacon
crushed red pepper (just a pinch)
1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt
1/8 teaspoon of onion powder
Turn on saute on your instant pot and let that warm up a bit.
Add a little cooking spray or olive oil then add the bacon
Switch your pot to off
Add Chicken broth
Add Green beans
Add all your seasonings
Manuel set your pot for 10 minutes
I let the instant pot do a natural release for 15 minutes.
Crafts
I love to make crafts. Modge Podge, signs, wreaths, ornaments, and anything else I can come up with. I worked on a few signs and this wine bottle scone. I am a beginner so no laughs, please.
Joined Weight Watchers (WW)
During the pandemic, I have not been tracking everything I eat which has resulted in about 5 extra pounds. This leads me to wear leggings and tent tops. I did not feel good about what I saw in the mirror so I joined WW. I then watched some videos on how to feel your best and become a better you. Below is one of my favorites this week. It is called 5 Frumpy Fashion Mistakes Making You Look Older
Busbee Style spoke to me. I was guilty of all the fashion mistakes. Beware of Tent Tops!
See below my amazon picks that make my life easier.
PIN IT! How I deal with Stress and Anxiety
