A Slow Collaps and a Turning Point - Anxiety, racing thoughts, sleepless nights. For Christina Hillesheim, it wasn’t a sudden breakdown, but a slow unraveling. Old habits went unquestioned, life experiences left their mark, and restlessness grew louder over time. By the summer of 2016, she hit a wall: burnout. Her doctor signed her off work indefinitely. Everything came to a halt. What followed was an exhausting but ultimately life-changing search for what could truly help. After a few unsuccessful attempts, Christina found the right medical support, which gave her a sense of stability again. Therapy opened the door to deeper self-reflection and helped her face her fears head-on. With time, space, and support, she started to uncover what a truly happy life could look like. Her recovery came together like a puzzle – made up of big pieces and small, everyday tools. From breathing exercises and journaling to a drop of peppermint oil to help calm her racing mind.

Learning to Set Boundaries - “The hardest part is doing the inner work,” she says. “Understanding why it got to that point in the first place. I had to learn to say no, to set boundaries, and to speak up when something didn’t feel right.” She also learned to listen to warning signs early – like poor sleep – and to identify what actually made her feel good. As a mom of two today, she’s learned to slow down, take breaks, and not panic if things get a little messy. Christina now shares her journey in courses that blend her personal story with her academic background in sociology and her training in psychological counseling and coaching. She also founded the Happy Club – a supportive online community with over 950 members. While it doesn’t replace therapy, it offers encouragement, inspiration, and connection.

Simple Tools for Moments of Anxiety - Christina encourages people to feel their emotions rather than suppress them. But constant overthinking only feeds anxiety. A few small tools can help shift your focus: Peppermint oil, a sour apple, a textured massage ball, a fidget ring, a rubber band around the wrist. Cold water can help, too – it stimulates the vagus nerve (your body’s “rest and digest” system) and calms the mind. Movement works wonders. You don’t have to go for a run – just turn up your favorite song and dance it out.

Helping Others Face Their Fears - Since founding happydings in 2017, Christina has expanded her work to include workshops with therapists, an online shop for mental wellness tools, and the podcast “Angst unplugged.” The topics she covers are wide-ranging:
Fear of illness, fear of failure, fear of losing control, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, psychosomatic symptoms – and everything in between. What began as simple crafting inspiration on social media eventually evolved. “I casually mentioned my burnout and what had helped me,” she recalls. “That resonated with people even more.”

A Message of Hope - “What makes it feel unbearable is the belief that things won’t ever get better,” she says. “But they can. I want to show people that they’re not alone – and that there is a way forward. You just have to find your own path.” Looking at the world of happydings she’s built, Christina still finds it a little surreal. “It’s honestly crazy to think about how far I’ve come. Back then, I never could’ve imagined any of this. It just shows what’s possible.”

Book Tip - In her latest book, Christina Hillesheim shares the tools, insights, and exercises that helped her overcome anxiety – developed together with doctors and therapists.
You’ll find real-life examples, calming techniques, and simple guidance for handling even intense anxiety moments.
www.happydings.net