The MindfulLess

Sour candy can literally help stop a panic attack.

According to mental health experts, the intense flavor acts as a grounding technique—its sharp, jarring taste pulls attention away from overwhelming thoughts and into the immediate physical sensation.

This redirection can help interrupt the cycle of spiraling anxiety, bringing individuals back to the present moment. Additionally, the act of chewing and the surge in saliva production may support the body's calming response, offering a sense of control during distress.

While not a cure or replacement for therapy, this sensory-based strategy can serve as a quick, practical tool in moments of high anxiety. As noted by experts cited by Utah State University, sour candy can be particularly helpful in grounding exercises used during panic attacks. However, they caution that frequent or intense anxiety should always be assessed by a healthcare professional to ensure appropriate long-term care.

Source: Utah State University Extension. (2023). Managing Anxiety with Grounding Techniques.

Do yourself a favor today… go listen!

Happy Friday the 13th!

This podcast touches base on the brain-gut connection and why it’s so important when it comes to anxiety.

How Gut Health Impacts Your Manifestations With Guest Jaclyn Renee Podcast Episode · That's So Rich · 09/29/2022 · 59m

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Drop a ❤️ if this resonates with you...

Happy Sunday! Alright y’all, I haven’t had much of an outreach for donations to make more self care baskets which is completely okay. Hopefully next year we can get started earlier and come together as a community to acknowledge and give back to more hardworking, single parents in our community!
However… exciting news, I’m in the process of creating one self care basket for a single mom and one for a single dad! These are super generic self care baskets but like I said I just want to bring some joy in the season and give a present to another single parent in our community! I know how hard, stressful, overwhelming and sometimes unappreciated it might feel as a single parent. I just want to tell you, you are doing amazing no matter how defeating it may feel sometimes.
So… nominations! I really want these to go to a hard working, single parent in our community. Someone who might not receive a present at all. Someone that might not have family in the area but work hard to provide and set a good example for their child/children but might still feel overwhelmed. A coworker, friend, someone you know. You don’t need to tag them on social media or to this post but someone that is within the community that we can deliver the present to directly. Must be a resident of the immediate area (Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Eaton, Kersey, LaSalle). Hardworking, single parent. No allergies to scents or skin irritations as these have items that could cause irritants. Sorry!

What I need:
•Name
•Location
•*Your name, contact info with nomination for the winner chosen.
•Any food allergies for the person you are nominating. Just want to be sure we don’t include anything that might include an allergy.
•Why you are nominating this person. You can include or not, this will not affect winning odds.

Nominations due by 12/12. We will pick a random winner on 12/13. Delivery of basket will be the weekend of 12/21. God bless!

Sneak peak of the baskets so far!

Hey, just a little reminder: You’re doing amazing. This time of year can be hard (like, really hard), but you’ve handled so much already. Be proud of that (and maybe treat yourself to a nap?)

Good morning NOCO community!

I’m a local single momma and anxiety advocate. Something has been weighing deep on my heart lately as I have been seeing so many “struggling single momma” posts asking for help for the holidays. I also see so many amazing programs and organizations that are open to helping for children in our area. However, as I single mom, I know how hard the holiday season is as a single mom! We put in so much work to give to those we love and it is extremely overwhelming and stressful. Times are hard right now for everyone. And many times we neglect to take care of ourselves because we are in such an overstimulation mode from Thanksgiving until Christmas Day.
So, this year, I’d like to create a Brrr Basket and do a giveaway to a hardworking single mom in our area that might not get a gift herself. This would just be filled with random items but something to lift the spirit of another momma in need of some extra love!
I only have the means to create one basket myself. However, as a community, if anyone would like to join the “cause” and donate something to put in a basket I would be willing to accept donations to possibly create another basket this year, if you’d like to come help “build” the basket(s)or have the means to build another one I’m willing to open my home one day next weekend to do this together if it is on your heart. I’m in the Greeley area. If anyone wants to join this cause, please message me.
I’d love to continue doing this in the years to come and be able to bring a little joy or even just a smile to more single moms or caregivers in our community. However, at this time my goal is to give to one single mom/caregiver this year and if others are willing to jump in maybe we can give to more. If you know of a hardworking single mom, would like to nominate a single mom/caregiver, I will make a separate post to get that information and then I’m thinking I’ll do a random “pick” or drawing.
Pictures for examples! If you are willing to donate an item to create another basket, some things needed could be any of the following and preferred new:
•Throw
•Chapstick/lip gloss
•Cute Pens
•Bath salts or bubble bath
•Candle
• Journal
•Adult coloring book
•Lotion
•Hair accessories
•Body Spray
•Coffee Mug
•Water Bottle
•Oversized sweatshirt
•Socks
•Beanie
•Makeup Bag
•Body Scrub
•Small Christmas Plush
•Home decor, something small
•Kitchen utensils
•Slippers
•Pajama Pants
•Gift cards
•Books

PARENTS: food for thought … does your child have a phone/tablet or play video games with others on an online platform? Not only are there vital developmental stages where your child shouldn’t be on a tablet/phone but there are so many growing concerns with what your child has access to, what they can stumble across and who has access to them. Do you regularly go through their phone, social media accounts, etc? If not, why? Invasion of your child’s privacy? Because you trust them?

Now, let me ask you from a different angle. When your child comes to you and wants to have a sleep over somewhere…. Do you just take their word for it and let them go? Or do you take them to their friends, meet their parents, check out the house, etc? Even for a play date for an hour for that matter?

We think because our kids are under our own roof, playing on their online games/social media/texting friends that they are “safe”. There has been such an increase in bullying, in school threats, in predators and trafficking, in mental health issues and su***de among our children. It’s our job to protect them as much as we possibly can. Just because we know our children are “home safe” doesn’t mean they are protected from so much of the negativity that’s going on in our world.