Three-time Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman is not any stranger to the worth of chatting with a mental health skilled. “I’ve been an enormous fan of therapy for a very long time,” says the 27-year-old. “I’ve been in therapy for years.” While Raisman wishes she could “confer with a therapist each day,” that’s not all the time practical, but she’s learned to make use of tools she’s learned during therapy in her on a regular basis life, she says.

Raisman has been making an effort to use those tools more often, using her “inner guide” to navigate tough situations when she doesn’t have access to her therapist. “Over the past yr I’ve really tried to work on seeing a therapist, but not counting on it,” she says. “If I don’t have an appointment that day, I’m not counting down the times until I see them again to get their advice or to feel that I’m getting helped.”

While counting on her inner guide, Rasiman has found just a few mental health strategies which have helped her manage her anxiety. She sat down with Shape on the Aerie store in Soho to share what’s working.

Maintain a Routine

As someone who began gymnastics on the age of two, Raisman is not any stranger to a routine. “I’m someone who does rather well with routine so I’ve found the importance of — even after I’m travelling — attempting to have some familiarity throughout my day.” And science says that she’s onto something. Studies suggest that those that perform regular rituals with meaning attached to them feel more on top of things and are higher capable of address anxiety and stress. Writing in a journal, listening to calming music, and mental check-ins throughout the day all factor into the Fierce creator’s regular routine.

Practice Self-Compassion

On difficult days, Raisman tunes into her inner dialogue, she says. She tries to recollect “that the way in which we confer with ourselves really matters and to be kind to ourselves and to keep in mind that we’re just human we’re all doing one of the best we are able to to navigate life.” She’s found that negative self-talk could cause her to spiral. “Once I’m hard on myself I feel worse after which I feel more anxious and it’s a foul cycle,” she says. She tries to make a conscious decision to be nicer to herself and to take life “day-to-day.”

Walk Outside

Raisman’s workout routine may be very different from when she was training for the Olympics. “To be honest more often than not I’m just going for long walks,” she says. While she used to dedicate seven-hour days on the gym, now “just being outside and getting fresh air makes me feel really good,” says the Aerie ambassador. That checks out provided that health-boosting effects of nature are backed by science. When the weather is warm, the mental health advocate goes for “a forty five minute to two-hour walk — not each day, but after I feel good,” she says.

Rely On Your Support System

Leaning on a friend can make it easier to get through those tough times, believes Raisman. “I’m very lucky that I even have a very good support system,” she says.  Haven’t found your inner circle yet? “Sometimes it’d take multiple [tries] to seek out that good support system, but I think family doesn’t should be blood-related,” she says. Considered one of Raisman’s biggest (and cuddliest) supporters is her rescue dog, Mylo. Raisman makes sure to snuggle with him when she’s having a difficult day. “He has been so amazing for my mental health and I like him a lot,” she says.

Take Time For Yourself

Feeling overwhelmed at work or in a social situation? Try carving out a while to reset. “I believe it’s essential to take moments for ourselves,” she says. For instance, “in case you’re overwhelmed with family just go to the lavatory and take a few deep breaths and check in with yourself. When you go to the lavatory a pair more times than usual, nobody’s going to even notice. Just take that point.”

This story first appeared on www.shape.com

(Essential and Feature Image Credit: Courtesy of Aerie)

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