Address the stress of the week with these activities that will help you soothe anxiety this weekend

Phew, what a week. To-do lists piling up, hoops to jump through, household chores falling by the wayside, caring responsibilities, appointments, deadlines, and let’s not even go into all the anxiety caused by the general state of the world.

Sometimes, making it to Friday can feel like a real challenge, with anxiety and stress occupying our minds – bringing down our moods and draining our resilience. When we do eventually get to the weekend, it can then be easy to use it as a time to catch up on all the things we were too overwhelmed to do during the week and then, before we know it, it’s Monday and the cycle starts all over again before we’ve had time to catch our breath.

So, if you’ve had a full-on week, your stress levels are peaking, and you’re struggling with anxiety, we've got some suggestions for ways you can make this weekend one dedicated to rest and rejuvenation.

Escape to a different world

When this world gets too much, escape the day-to-day toil with the power of stories. If you’re a reader, this may be the time to curl up with the book that’s been sitting in your to-read pile for a while. Or if films are more your thing, settle down with a warm drink and spend the next couple of hours in a whole new world.

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We’ve got plenty of recommendations for films and books, but if you’re using this as a stress and anxiety-busting exercise, it might be worth considering exactly what you need from this activity. Are you looking for a good laugh? An inspirational message? A drop of nostalgia? Or total escapism into a fantasy world?

Whatever you go for, it’s also worth bringing some mindfulness into this activity. If you notice that your mind is starting to wander, prompting that anxiety to creep back in, try to recognise those thoughts, let them go, and bring your attention back to what you’re focusing on.

Go somewhere new

You won’t need your passport for this one, because even a trip half an hour down the road will do. Stuck in our routines, we can end up going between the same places again and again. The Victorians often persuaded a ‘change of air’, something physicians would recommend when their patients had ‘nervous ailments’ or melancholy. Going off and discovering somewhere new breaks those daily patterns that can, sometimes, bring us so much anxiety.

What’s more, we also get that sense of adventure and discovery, something that we adults tend to do less of

5 Minute Chocolate Fudge is a creamy chocolate fudge recipe generously filled with pecans.

This fudge recipe comes together in just a few minutes and it is perfect for gifting, snacking, and serving for any occasion. Made with or without nuts, this fudge is a favorite sweet treat year-round.

Chocolate Fudge

To make this Chocolate Pecan Fudge, you simply combine everything in a glass bowl, heat for a couple of minutes, pour onto a tray, and refrigerate until firm. I like to sprinkle a few spoonfuls of extra chopped nuts on top of the fudge before refrigerating, too.

Once the fudge is set you can slice the fudge into whatever shapes and sizes you like. 1-inch squares are my preferred way to cut this fudge but bigger squares, triangles, and rectangles would also be good!

I like how the small squares of fudge make it easier to share with family and friends or pack into a box with parchment paper for a gift.

This chocolate fudge is rich enough that a little goes a long way so even just a batch of it is enough to satisfy all of our sweet tooths.

How to Make 5 Minute Fudge

Traditional old-fashioned fudge is a time-intensive and finicky candy to make. Old-fashioned fudge requires a candy thermometer and a considerable amount of time spent stirring the hot mixture over the stovetop.

Delicious for sure but, in my opinion, rarely worth all the time, effort, and special equipment.

Microwave Fudge

This method of making fudge may not be traditional but it produces a homemade chocolate fudge that’s just as delicious as the old-fashioned kind. Nothing beats being able to melt baking ingredients to the perfect consistency in just moments.

All it takes is a microwave (or stovetop) and a few ingredients, plus a little hands-off time waiting for the fudge to set. Since you don’t even need the stove for this recipe, it’s also a great one to make with kids!

Kids will love creating their very own chocolate fudge. For little ones it’s almost magical to see the melty chocolate mixture turn into cuttable fudge after just a little time in the fridge.

Now that I’ve been making fudge this way, I’m thrilled to be making countless varieties of fudge in just minutes. There are so many EASY FUDGE RECIPES here, be sure to check them all out!

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A recent study revealed that living in a cold home can increase the risk of poor mental health. We take a look at why this is and share some tips for staying warm for less this winter

Energy prices have caused a stir for years but none more so than during the current cost of living crisis. We know that living in colder temperatures can affect our physical health as it lowers our immune response, but new research from The Conversation suggests it poses a significant risk to our mental health, too.

As Britain sits in the temperature climate zone, we don’t typically experience extreme changes in the weather and our temperatures remain fairly mild throughout the year. Despite this, the UK has higher deaths associated with colder weather than many other colder countries which is thought to be the result of poor quality housing, poverty, and the increasing costs of heating our homes.

How does the cold affect our mental health?

In recent months, we’ve seen the impact that the cost of living crisis is having on our energy bills. As we head towards winter, our heating bills will likely exacerbate feelings of stress and financial worries. In 2018, the average cost of heating a UK home was £453.24 which has since risen significantly.

Not only can this financial uncertainty create anxiety, but also feelings of being out of control of our own environment. People might avoid socialising to climb into bed early to keep warm or may simply be exhausted from draining their body’s energy for warmth. This can contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Sadly, for those who may already be experiencing poor mental health, the risks are often more severe and this does not consider the impact across the wider population - those who are unemployed or on lower incomes are more likely to live in a colder home, as well as single parents and those who rent.

For those currently working from home, the choice between heading back into the office or staying put offers little comfort as commuting also comes with its fair share of costs.

How can we heat our homes for less?

In light of the current energy crisis, here are some tips for keeping warm for little to no cost.

1. Make use of curtains

During the day, make sure you open curtains or blinds to let as much natural sunlight into your home as possible. This is a great way to heat your home for free. When it starts to get dark, draw your curtains and this will trap the heat as well as provide an extra layer of insulation.

2. Rejig your furniture

Take a look around your home and note any furniture that could be blocking radiators. If possible, try moving your furniture away from the heat source to allow the warm air to flow more freely around your room.

3. Locate and block out draughts

If you’ve noticed a chill from your front door, around your windows, or coming from a crack in the floor, now is the best time to draught-proof your home before winter firmly sets in. You can Read more

Sharing tips for exercising in cold weather, benefits, and sample cold weather workouts. 

Hi friends! How’s the morning going so far? I hope you’re having a great day. I’m getting in a quick Fit Team workout and getting ready for some out-of-town company; I can’t wait! I’m also going to take Maisey on a long walk because the weather has been dreeeeamy.

Even though the weather is starting to cool down, I’ve been thinking abut how important to keep up with a consistent routine, no matter the season. Cold weather can discourage us from working out, especially because it’s dark and can be verryyyy tempting to stay snuggled under the blankets. It can absolutely be a challenge to get up and head outside to work out, or to the gym, and finding the right motivation and routine can help you stay focused on your goals. Today, I’m sharing some practical tips on how to stay warm and injury-free while working out in the cold weather!

10 Tips for exercising in cold weather

Can you work out in cold weather?

You absolutely can, but it depends on your fitness level and if you’re used to the current climate. If you’re in Arizona like me and travel to Alaska in the freezing snow, it might be a little trickier to keep up with your outdoor workout routine. Of course, check with your doctor before making any fitness changes, and talk to your health provider if you have certain conditions that may prevent you from working out outdoors.

Some tips that may help:

Dress in layers

I like to layer my clothes, especially since the temperature fluctuates so much. You may start off with a jacket, long-sleeved tee, and tank, and end up just in your tank top by the time the workout is over. You can also wear high socks if you don’t want to start off with pants. I feel like layers is something you learn over time, especially what types of fabrics and coverage you prefer, and also how the weather behaves where you’re located. In Tucson, it’s winter at 5am, spring at 10am, summer at 2pm, back to spring at 5pm, and winter again by 8pm.

Wear sunscreen

Even if you’re cold, you may forget that being outdoors is still exposing you to the sun’s rays. Wear sunscreen on any areas that are likely to burn, especially if you’ll be out for a while. I wear this SPF on my face every single day.

Stay hydrated

The same thing goes with water! In the winter, it’s more easy to become dehydrated, because our sweat and the heat isn’t reminding us to drink water. Be sure to carry some type of water with you, and if you’re going to be doing a challenging or longer workout (greater than 1 hour), I recommend adding some electrolytes.

Wear the right gear

Extra goods, like an ear warmer, thermal leggings, and gloves can make a huge difference. You may also have to add an e

You know those foods that you taste once and then you simply can’t get it out of your mind? This Sausage Gravy is one of those foods.

You’ll find yourself remembering it (and craving it again!) at all hours of the day. The hints of fragrant rosemary add something unforgettable, many people have told me this immediately became their all-time favorite gravy.

Easy Sausage Gravy

Would you like the secret behind making the best sausage gravy you’ll ever taste? It’s that little sprinkling of rosemary. After tasting a rosemary sausage gravy at a restaurant, I started adding rosemary to my gravy when I made it.

That little herb addition takes a simple old-fashioned recipe for biscuits and gravy from being something that we enjoy eating to the level of being something that I crave on a regular basis.

This rich, creamy sausage gravy recipe is the heart of one of my favorite “brinners” – breakfasts that we eat for dinner; although this gravy is always a hit for breakfast as well.

Sometimes we dunk toast sticks into the gravy or pour the gravy over hot biscuits. (I couldn’t resist sharing this video of my baby making biscuits for the first time.) Sausage Gravy is also heavenly over hash browns with an egg on top.

How To Make Sausage Gravy

Making a truly excellent sausage gravy is easier than you might think. Start with a sausage that you like. I typically use a country or breakfast sausage.

Crumble the sausage as it starts to cook in a large skillet. Once it has browned, sprinkle with flour and toss well to coat. Add the milk, salt, and pepper.

Let the gravy cook and thicken for about five minutes, while you stir frequently. Add the rosemary, taste the thickened gravy, and add additional salt and pepper only if needed. I will tell you this is one dish where extra pepper gives it tons of flavor!

My youngest son’s favorite breakfast for dinner is this Breakfast Poutine: crisp, hot fries and melting cheese curds topped with sausage gravy and a fried egg. What’s not to love?

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