Welcome to the Capsule Chill-Out Club – the place where we chat to well-known Kiwi gals about how they cope with high stress, high cortisol and anxiety… and how the chill the f*** out when everything is getting just a little too much! Brought to you by our pals at Shark Beauty to celebrate the launch of the much-anticipated CryoGlow Cooling + LED Face Mask – a wearable combo of LED light therapy and under-eye cooling that delivers clinically tested skin-firming and acne-reducing results – we’ll be delving deep into what we’re all doing to stay balanced, level and, well, chill! In this edition, one of favourite broadcasters and local Lady Whistledown (we mean founder and host of pop culture podcast A Little Bit Extra) Sharyn Casey isn’t afraid to get candid about how she chills the f*** out in a highly-stimulating environment, and chats about her ongoing relationship with anxiety.
Capsule x Shark Beauty
Kia ora, Sharyn! You’ve been so open about your relationship with anxiety in the past – how are you going with it these days?
It’s much better than it used to be. I still take daily medication for it, but I would say my anxiety has improved since I stopped doing radio, as I’ve learned to slow down. Also, when I avoid alcohol, my anxiety is way better. It still rears its ugly head, but nowhere near as often.
Can you tell us when the last time you felt completely overwhelmed was, and what you did about it?
It’s usually when I’ve said yes to too many things and can’t see moments to rebalance my energy see-saw. Over the last year, I’ve learned that on those days or weeks I need to sit down and handwrite everything out by day. The satisfaction of ticking things off makes me feel calmer.
What instantly drops your shoulders and relaxes you?
I go to this place called OYF where you work out in a room that’s an infrared sauna. There’s something about it — as soon as I lie down on my mat, nothing matters for the next hour. I don’t know what it is, but there have been many times I’ve dozed off!
How are you generally with coping with overstimulation and high cortisol?
I’m getting better at vocalising it. Sometimes I even tell my kids, “Mummy is feeling really overstimulated. I really need you to…” (insert thing here like stop yelling or turn the Nintendo sound off). If I have too many loud sounds at once, my body reacts physically. Instead of just putting up with it, I now communicate it, which helps – although it doesn’t eliminate it. Noise is a big trigger for me, especially now that I work alone a lot and I’m not as used to it.
What’s your emergency anti-anxiety hack for when you really need instant calm?
A to-do list, a calm playlist on my phone, lying with my legs up, and drinking something cold.
One of the great things about getting a little older is getting to know yourself better. Is there something you refuse to apologise for anymore?
Being weird or cringe. I am weird and cringe, so I’m learning to embrace it. I also don’t apologise for being older anymore. I used to feel like I had to keep up with people in their 20s, but now I can just be me and feel grateful to be in my 40s — because a lot of people wish they could be.
What stresses you out the most?
Too many noises at once. I can also get in my own head and worry that I’m letting people down or annoying them. Once that thought starts, it’s stressful trying to bring it back down.
Do you have a favourite chill-out ritual that takes under 10 minutes?
A sheet mask and reality TV in my bed – nothing beats it!
Do you have any cold therapy hacks or loves you use (from ice water to cryo tools)?
A cold flannel on the face always works a treat, and I keep all my sheet masks in the fridge for extra de-puffing. I did try ice baths… but I’m a wimp. I’ve just started trying the Shark CryoGlow and love the cryo eye pads!
Is there something everyone else thinks calms you… but absolutely doesn’t?
Deep belly breathing. As soon as I start focusing on it, my ADHD/anxious brain overthinks the way I’m breathing and I end up wanting a Ventolin. I’m conscious of breathing, just not when I’m actively trying to calm myself!
What’s your go-to happy place?
On a normal day, it’s my bed with the TV on and an ice cream, while my husband rubs my head – and don’t make that dirty, there is nothing more soothing than a head rub! Otherwise, exercise. Whether it’s hot Pilates or reformer, I just love moving.
If you have 10 minutes to yourself to focus on self-care or do something nice for yourself, what do you do?
It depends on how overstimulated I feel. I might scroll interior design pages for a little dopamine hit, take my time with skincare, dance around my room singing my face off – I can fit a lot into 10 minutes, let me tell you that!
This story has been brought to you by Shark Beauty – check out their new CryoGlow Cooling + LED Facial Mask here– and our story explainer on it here! If we do say so ourselves, it’s a nifty little way to devote some TLC to your skin, and have a little self-care, chill-out time in the process.