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Keep Calm and Carry On

Hi guys!


Unfortunately, I have been incredibly poorly over the past week - hence the lack of posts! I do apologise! I promise once I'm back at 100% I'll be posting more and sharing more crafts!


This week's blog is all about self cafe and the apps that I've found really help.


It turns out, stress can manifest itself physically. I had got a lot going on and kept overthinking and I was just so overwhelmed at everything that was happening that I was physically affected by my stress and anxiety.

I lost 9lbs in 4 days, I was struggling to keep food down, totally uninterested in food. (Absolutely not like me at all!) Constantly overemotional and exhausted.

I finally got some good news yesterday and instantly felt a thousand times better. No more throwing up, panic attacks.


At first I genuinely couldn't figure out why I was so poorly. I'd had a cold for a week or so before hand, but how I felt didn't feel like a normal cold.

I soon realised that I had brought it on myself! I let myself get so overwhelmed by stress, depression and anxiety that it manifested itself as a physical ailment. I had never experienced it to such a degree.


I'm really happy that, in the past decade anyway, the issue of Mental Health and the severity of certain conditions has been addressed giving it the awareness it needs. As someone who has lived with severe mental health issues for the majority of my life, I find it reassuring that people are beginning to understand it - even if it is only the tip of the iceberg, it is a start!


I just wanted to make a nice little list of god de-stressy tasks to do to help you just chill out when you can feel yourself getting bad again.


Of course people say the best thing is exercise. I'm not disagreeing, but as someone who is part sloth, this option is not the most appealing haha

My favourite thing to do is something productive but relaxing - hence the candles! I'll make candles until the cows come home! Crafts and doing something creative is always such a brilliant idea (and you always feel like you've accomplished something at the end and feel a little bit prouder.


I love cleaning. I absolutely love it. Leave me alone at home all day with a bottle of Zoflora and a sponge and I'll be happier than a seagull with a stolen chip!


However, I know for a fact when you're feeling 'blah', the last thing you can even imagine is getting out of the safety of your own bed and even making it to a different room rather let alone exercise or face the world.


I've found a few things to do in the comfort of your own bed on your phone or laptop that can just give you a few minutes to focus on relaxing.


I found a website years and years ago called Ana Somnia - a peaceful website with a world of imagination and stunning graphics. I wont say too much about it so you can explore by yourself, but I really do recommend for a ten minute chill where you can just forget about the world.


With technology advancing at the speed it has, we are able to access apps for anything. Along with the progression of mental health awareness, a plethora of apps have been released to help in overwhelming situations. Some are meditation apps, some are interactive apps where you carry out calming and peaceful exercises (don't worry, not physical!). While not all are free, I'll make a list of some of my favourite free ones (because I'm tight).






Calm Harm This is a fantastic app for anyone who self harms. It features options like 'comfort', 'distract' 'release' and 'breathe' for when you're feeling an urge.





Clear Fear This is an app by the same creators of Calm Harm and is essentially the same idea but for anxiety. It helps you monitor your anxiety, what may trigger it, tips to help if you have an attack etc.

Both apps also have a cute mascot team to support and encourage you as you use it, which I think it pretty cute.



#SelfCare This is a more recent discovery, and release I believe. Set in a beautifully illustrated bedroom, this app has little games, exercises and cute games to play.







Breathe

This one is probably my favourite.

Simply, this is a meditation app. You can fill out a 20 second quiz on how you're currently feeling, and gives you different types of meditation. You can choose between a male and female voice, both exquisitely soothing. There are options to upgrade to get different breathing exercises, but if I'm honest, the free version is perfectly fine for me!


One more. Now this one isn't an app or even a game. It is a simple gif.

This gif is intended to help you focus on your breathing which can drastically help if you're feeling a little overwhelmed.




I'm absolutely certain there are many many more apps available that are fab for mental health and helping you through sticky situations, these are just a few of my personal favourites!


If there are any other ones that you think are ace, please let me know so I can check them out!


Take care of yourself.


Please & love,

H.T.



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