A Few of My Favorite Things
(Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...)
It's that time of the year for me and Keegan, my husband with AS. The highs are high and the lows are low. The holidays brought tons of joy and fun and stress and anxiety. I've dealt with anxiety most of my life and stress impacts Keegan's AS easily.
1. Noise-canceling headphones
Keegan and I both love a good pair of noise-canceling headphones. And both of us got ours because we needed a way to escape. Finding music that matches our mood, emotions, or just to get out some of the stress gets us to process high levels of stress in a healthy way. Keegan's big into metal while I'm more into alternative rock.
The other reason I encourage anyone and everyone in the AS community to get noise-canceling headphones is to help with sleep, too. Especially when traveling, it can be tough to get in the right headspace when falling asleep. I have a few Youtube channels with soundscapes and soothing stories so when I travel, it brings my mind back to being at home with my cats in bed with me.
2. Ted Lasso (or any other wholesome programming)
Almost every night after we get the kids to bed, you'll find me and Keegan on the couch, snuggling and watching a wholesome comedy. Many shows like Ted Lasso, Schitt's Creek, Parks and Rec, etc. help remind us what's important in life while laughing. These shows have helped both of us through so many times in our lives. (Pretty sure both maternity leaves were full of episodes from The Office.)
Either way, find a good story to dive into and bring a loved one along with you. One of the best parts of having a go-to show is watching it with someone else. And sometimes, that break from the go go go of the holiday itinerary is just what is needed.
3. A really really good candle
Never underestimate the power of a good candle. (Thinking back to Jan in The Office and how she would light a candle and whiff it when stressed out.) But seriously, finding a candle that immediately relaxes me is one of the most powerful tools in my toolbox. It can be tricky to just bring your favorite candle along with you when traveling for the holidays, but believe me when I say I've gifted candles just to hope the person lights it and I can chill out a bit.
Plus, shopping for candles is fun, inexpensive, and another great way to connect with friends or family. As corny as it sounds, most of the candles I have I purchased while shopping with my family.
What are your go-to's when you're stressed out? What small wonders bring about joy in your life?
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