Healing and Hypnotherapy Volume 4 Issue - 4, 1 October 2019 | Page 13

of that excess energy, get your body moving. Try jumping up and down, going
for a long walk outside, or jogging in the spot (or around the block). You may
also like to expel your breath using a technique such as the ujjayi yoga
breath.
5. Invest in a weighted blanket
This self-soothing technique can be a bit pricey, but it’s worth it in my opinion.
If you struggle with poor sleep (which often accompanies anxiety and PTSD),
consider investing in your own weighted blanket.
Weighted blankets work on the basis of applying deep touch pressure
stimulation (DTPS) evenly across your body which releases happy chemicals
in your brain that are responsible for relaxation.
The weighted blanket I own is from an Australian company (because I live in
Australia) called Neptune Blankets and I use them for sleep. You can choose
the right blanket based on your body weight – generally, the best blanket for
you is based on 10% of your body weight. There are other brands out there
which you can find. Two great brands are:
•
Quility weighted blankets (found on Amazon)
•
YnM weighted adult blankets (found on Amazon)
Another interesting self-soothing tool is the deep pressure vest. Deep
pressure vests are used by those who have sensory processing disorder or
autism – but they can also be used by those who struggle with anxiety.
Basically, a deep pressure vest is a vest you put on that tightly compresses
your body – similar to a hug. If you would like a lighter option, you can always
opt to try out a compression vest used by athletes, such as this one for
women (which is marketed as a ‘trainer corset’) or this one for men.
6. Tulsi (Holy Basil) Tea
OMG folks, omg. I don’t usually use abbreviations like these in my articles,
but this stuff is amazing. When my nerves are writhing with anxiety, holy basil
is my go-to herb for calming down. Holy basil is an adaptogenic herb meaning
that it helps the body adapt to stress. Holy basil is referred to as “holy” for a
reason – in India, it is considered the “Queen of Herbs” due to its spiritual and
restorative properties. Holy basil can also be used for adrenal fatigue,
depression, high blood pressure, insomnia, and headaches.
.
Of course, you might be different and prefer other herbs such as damiana or
chamomile. But having tried many relaxing herbs, holy basil is always #1 for
me. If you haven’t tried this amazing herb yet, please do! You can order from